Jack Gunston has got his wish and will be back at Hawthorn in 2024, after the Hawks agreed to terms with Brisbane to bring the triple-premiership great back to the club.
Just 12 months after requesting a trade to the Lions, Gunston shocked the footy world by seeking a return to the Hawks, having struggled to bed down a spot in the Lions’ best 22 and being left out of their grand final loss.
The deal sees the Hawks give up promising tall Brandon Ryan, having taken the 25-year old in the mid-season rookie draft, while also giving up picks 39, 54 and a future fourth-rounder in exchange for Gunston, picks 47 and 61 and the Lions’ future second-rounder.
The Hawks also secured Gold Coast tall Mabior Chol as well as pick 62 in exchange for a future second-round pick.
All up, the club did six deals on deadline day, completing their business by trading pick 61 and a future fourth-round selection to Essendon for Massimo D’Ambrosio.
Port Adelaide also have cause to celebrate after a swathe of final-day deals, securing long-term target Esava Ratugolea and three fellow recruits late on deadline day.
Ruck pair Ivan Soldo (Richmond) and Jordon Sweet (Western Bulldogs) left rival clubs to join the Power, who bolstered their defence with the addition of Ratugolea (Geelong) and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Essendon).
The quartet were in a group of more than a dozen players who found new homes on Wednesday.
But the No.1 draft pick – held by West Coast and coveted by rivals who are keen to land teen sensation Harley Reid – has not yet changed hands.
Pick swaps can still be agreed right up until draft night on November 20.
Port’s recruits are set to bolster the club’s premiership push under re-signed coach Ken Hinkley in 2024 following this year’s straight-sets finals exit.
Persistence paid off for the Power as they landed Ratugolea at the second attempt.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
He was under contract last year but Geelong, who indicated they would again drive a hard bargain for the versatile tall, finally relented this time around.
Port gave up picks 25, 76 and 94 in the deal and Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie conceded the Cats were “disappointed” to lose Ratugolea.
The 25-year-old will line up in defence alongside Zerk-Thatcher, who got his trade wish in a dramatic final few minutes before Wednesday night’s trade deadline.
Zerk-Thatcher had a three-year contract on the table from Essendon but was adamant he wanted to move to the Power.
The deal, which was approved after the paperwork deadline, included Xavier Duursma moving to the Bombers.
Essendon also gave up pick 73 and two future fourth-round picks.
Earlier on deadline day four former top-10 draft picks got their trade wishes.
Paddy Dow moved from Carlton to St Kilda, while Nick Coffield left the Saints for the Bulldogs.
Gold Coast sent Elijah Hollands to the Blues, where he will play alongside brother Ollie, while Jack Billings left St Kilda for Melbourne.
Melbourne snared Billings for a future third-round pick from the Saints, who will reportedly continue paying a portion of the midfielder’s salary.
St Kilda had also been keen on Dylan Shiel but Essendon held firm on the experienced midfielder despite interest from several rival clubs.
(with AAP)
bagley
Roar Rookie
they should have kept Ryan, otherwise the trades have been good, forward line should improve, midfield good, just need one tall down back to intercept mark and we should be competing with the better sides.
dargerovitch
Roar Rookie
Don't really want an argument with a fellow Hawthorn supporter , Luke, but ... Ryan has shown in his three games that he's got smarts and ability to play at top level. Hardly "unknown" as you put it. Brisbane certainly thinks he's good enough. As for Gunston , i'd be surprised if Hawks get two good years out of him. One at the most , i reckon , and that's if he keeps form and isn't out injured too much. I suspect taking Gunston back was based more on sentiment than harsh reason, odd as that is in the ruthless world of list management. I'd love to see Gunston and Breust combining for goals as they did so often in the past. Just far from sure they'll do it in the future. So we'll have to agree to differ on this , but am sure we're united in hoping (and expecting?) the Hawks make the Final Eight next year , better than the 10th to 13 th the "experts " are predicting.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
I can see the logic in that. Chol could become a fan favourite if he becomes consistent. Playing in settled team with large crowds cheering him almost every week could lift him to that standard.
Luke - Hawk tragic
Roar Rookie
Let me explain. Ryan has potential, but is 26 in a few weeks and has a massive 3 games experience. At best if he does ok, itll take him a few years to get there and then he'll be approaching 30...Brissy gave2nd rounder for 2024, who we used on Chol, who is 10.5 months older than ryan, but with more experience and proven capability. So for an unknown Ryan who is 26, we got Chol and gunston....We never wanted to lose Gunners last year. Now we have him for another 2 years while the kids, such as Mccabe and whoever else we recruit, build their bodies.
Luke - Hawk tragic
Roar Rookie
Vicboy, thats because if they bid pick 2 for reid or one of the fs picks like croft or McCabe, the clubs wont bother matching and north will be stuck with this player thats worth pick 10 or pick 18...i mean, god i would love them to do that, as then we will get another kid that we wouldve missed.
dargerovitch
Roar Rookie
Gunston at Brisbane either out of form or injured. Available for Lions' three Finals this year but not selected. Guessing this at least one of the reasons for wanting out. Fair enough. But Hawthorn swapping the promising Brandon Ryan, 25 , for the six years older Gunston with his best years behind him is a mystery. It doesn't fit with the rebuilding with young players strategy Hawks were following. As a Hawk supporter i hope Gunston's return works but i won't be surprised and will be disappointed if it doesn't.
Vicboy
Roar Rookie
In light of Tom Greene’s comments, can someone explain how this is a shallow draft – usually very few drafted in top 20 from Qld & Tassie. But apparently this year 7 or 8. This should extend the depth of the draft. Could be a chance for a few bolters. Although I don’t understand why North doesn’t nominate all father and sons/ academy nominees with 2, and then pick the eyes out of the rest
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Ok so who won a premiership in this trade period?