With deals sewn up for Luke Hodge, Josh Gibson and Shaun Burgoyne, all Hawthorn’s older boys are there for 2017 with Sam Mitchell having signed in April. But is this correct thing to do for the Hawks’ future?
Over the last few years the Hawks have released one to three of its older bodies to give them the chance to blood the next generation. Greats from the club that have left, starting with Chance Bateman in 2012 and the last ones being Brian Lake and David Hale.
I see all four over-30 players signed for next year as a bad move. The Hawks need to be able to blood the younger players and make them less reliant on the established stars. Hodge and Burgoyne should have hung the boots up at the end of the year, With Mitchell and Gibson at a minimum doing another year or two.
But with it now done and dusted, there are some things I hope happen to make sure that the Hawks don’t do the same sky dive without a parachute from the top of the ladder like Fremantle did.
Give the captaincy to someone else
Hodge has been a fantastic leader for the Hawks since he took over as leader in 2011. But with him getting on it is time for someone else to take over the job. For me I think Liam Shiels is the best fit. He is the most under-appreciated player, and the Hawks’ midfield play better when he is fit and firing.
Delisting players
At the end of the season I think most likely the Hawks will delist Matthew Spangher. He has been a good backup player when he has been fit, but with the likes of Brand, Heatherley, Howe and Litherland, he is becoming less needed. He will always be a Hawks premiership player and cult figure with that beautiful hair.
Trade Lewis
Now this may upset some of the other Hawks fans but I think they should look at trading Jordon Lewis. We have just signed Mitchell, Hodge, Gibson and Burgoyne. He still has some worth at the trade table that could well get us someone that is about to hit their peak or wanting a new home.
For a young team that is needing a good head to help the younger ones and some experience he is a good fit.
Jakarta Fan
Roar Rookie
The Hawks made the right decision with their oldies for two main reasons: 1. They are playing well enough to be better than any potential replacements - for at least the next 12 months. 2. Next year will be the last of their premiership window and they will need those oldies. They might not win this year, but without those guys they'd have no hope next year. At the end of 2017 the Hawks will delist a whole bunch of oldies and start a 5 year rebuild hoping to develop a new era at the top.
Penster
Guest
I like what I've seen from Burton so far, very impressive hang on to him, and Whitecross has been very solid also. O'Brien, yes trade bait and find a big body in the cast off bin to draw the number 1 defender, take few hits, crash a pack and get the ball off to the mosquito fleet, Cloke might fit although he's not as athletic as some, he's a good mark. Hill for an early 2nd round or late first draft pick depending on his finals performance, he's not worth as much to Freo as he is Hawthorn, the narrow Domain doesn't give much space to get his run on. This talk of delisting Lewis and putting Roughy in the rookie draft is making me queasy tho. Hard decisions must be made but that'd cause a stampede at Glenferrie. Lewis' form has been iffy but it's been a tough year for him. Back him in another year and then call it. Big problems for everyone at the club if Roughy doesn't pull through.
Birdman
Guest
The Hun story on T. Mitchell was a puff piece - of course he said that he sees his future at the Swans but it's in the hands of his manager which tells you where it's really at. Buddy, Gablett and Danger all made the same bland statements.
Wilson
Roar Guru
I was under the impression that Mitchell had said that he was staying in Sydney or was that more just trying to move the speculation off him for a while.
Don Freo
Guest
No wonder you are carrying this on. Lewis for O'Meara? You're joking. You were suggesting swapping his medal for O'Meara. Why else would you mention a medal? A medal is almost as worthless as Lewis himself.
Birdman
Guest
Can't see the Hawks trading their vice captain for O'Meara. I think Tom Mitchell is more likely the midfielder the Hawks will trade in as O'Meara has many more Melb-based suitors with more trading options, draft picks and salary cap.
Birdman
Guest
yep and you tried to 're-shape the argument' by trying to make it a choice between O'Meara and Lewis which was no-where near your original point that Lewis had no value to any club. Jog on.
Don Freo
Guest
Are you baiting me there, Wilson? Lewis elite? Even Rodney Eade, whose humourlessness is driving talent away, would chortle at that suggestion.
Wilson
Roar Guru
with Lewis there is one way to get O'Meara as in the HeraldSun that they want an elite player compensateiong he would fit that as part of a deal for the hawks.
Wilson
Roar Guru
so he is smart there is a plus over Dawson :) who seem to get suspension every time he goes near the ball
Wilson
Roar Guru
I don't think we would slide as much the Hawks have been able to play without those players over time. and have players that can come in a fill the gaps (other then the Ruck) and we did not have the other Injures that the Dockers have had.
Don Freo
Guest
Although Freo lost 10 more players added to those 3. That 4 at Hawthorn will be list cloggers in 2017. Love it.
Dean
Guest
The decision to re-sign those guys was inevitable. Particularly with a finals campaign hinging on those 4 guys performing. The real hard decisions will need to be made next season when the Hawks have to choose between sacrificing some short term performance for song long term gain throughout the season. At least two of those guys you would expect to decline, perhaps 1, perhaps all four. It needs to be managed throughout the season so that it doesn't happen all at once and leave the side extremely vulnerable. Freo lost Pavlich, Sandilands and Fyfe this year and they've gone from top to third bottom. If the same were to happen to Hodge, Gibson and Mitchell next year, the Hawks would probably do the same.
Don Freo
Guest
Birdy, "re-shape" the argument? You raised the 4 premierships stuff.
Birdman
Guest
I think TOB will be a late developer but Hawks might need to dangle him this trade season while he's showing potential as they need a gun mid and ruck/forward cover more than him with Burton and Sicily slightly ahead of him. Hopefully it won't turn into a Joey Kennedy scenario if he does get traded out.
Don Freo
Guest
At Peel? Why? The O'Brien boys provide that factor.
Birdman
Guest
Nice try at trying to re-shape the argument Don. You reckoned he was useless to any club -on the other hand I reckon that type of experience is of significant value to most clubs including yours.
Wilson
Roar Guru
except Bulk I think that is the one think he is missing for when he is on the talk big defenders.
Wilson
Roar Guru
the part of my Article that was cut and to do with Roughie Birdman The other that could get delisted but then redrafted as a rookie is Roughead. As we know it is still up in the air what is happening and IF he will be back. Moving him to the Rookie list takes some of the pressure off of Roughead and opens space on the main list. But if he chose to play on then he could be upgraded at the start of the season to the main list if needed.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
I am OB's biggest fan and think he has everything needed to be a star. I would be mortified if they traded him, in fact I would float Sicily's name way before I even considered OB