Unofficial Preview 2025 Hawk's Hypothetical Trade Discussion...now with added DFA spitballing!

[Strapping Young Lad]

This thread is becoming increasingly popular, and to keep some sort of order, we will have some….

Rules of engagement:

1. Bring valid news or links to Twitter posts from notable sources. Don’t post screenshots or “some bloke just said on SEN” or what some “trade whisperer” has posted on a Facebook page.

2. Ignore what other team boards are putting up as trade offers. Don’t quote or bring them here either.

3. Don’t post “buckle up” for the lols.

4. If you can’t say anything nice about Worpel or CJ, don’t say anything at all. The continued slaps and backhanders are just going to be deleted.

 

[MasterSamurai]

Obviously Butters & Walsh.
Who else is there?

*nope, can't be bothered googling it!

Zac Bailey. Gee there's a lot of Zack's around.

 

[I got the outside word]

Zac Bailey. Gee there's a lot of Zack's around.

Josh, Josh, Josh, Zach, Zac, Zac.

Make it happen.

 

[Hawkk]

Merrett will be a huge get..huge!!! If we're able to keep our FF as I wanted, that would be great. At worst we'll need it for one of the RFA guns next year.

Have had a bit of a rethink about this. It could be for the best that we missed out on landing BOTH Petrecca and Merrett this year. Had we landed both it would push out a Mackenzie, Butler or even Ward (who are all in the sweet spot for our list) due to lack of opportunity.

At least this way, we can get a good look at all of those players in Worpel’s absence (plus Day and Merrett) allowing us to pick the eyes out of the much better DFA and RFA market next year.

 

[DrkNyt]

Thanks for your updates Newmo89

 

[BigHawk2025]

Have had a bit of a rethink about this. It could be for the best that we missed out on BOTH Petrecca and Merrett this year. Had we landed both it would push out a Mackenzie, Butler or even Ward (who are all in the sweet spot for our list) due to lack of opportunity.

At least this way, we can get a good look at all of those players in Worpel’s absence (plus Day and Merrett) allowing us to pick the eyes out of the much better DFA and RFA market next year.

Wrong. Merrett enables greater flexibility and depth in the team AND what a great player (and captain quality) for the wards and Mackenzie’s to learn from. We don’t have the mature head in the midfield. With Merrett we do.

 

[Hawkk]

Wrong. Merrett enables greater flexibility and depth in the team AND what a great player (and captain quality) for the wards and Mackenzie’s to learn from. We don’t have the mature head in the midfield. With Merrett we do.

I meant if we got Petrecca and Merrett at the same time. The domino effect of bringing both in would have had a negative impact on Mackenzie, Ward, Butler and maybe even Moore and Watson in the middle. At least this way we can see which of those three will make it and then hit up the RFA market. It could be a bit of a blessing in disguise.

 

[BigHawk2025]

I meant if we got Petrecca and Merrett at the same time. The domino effect of bringing both in would have had a negative impact on Mackenzie, Ward, Butler and maybe even Moore and Watson in the middle. At least this way we can see which of those three will make it and then hit up the RFA market. It could be a bit of a blessing in disguise.

You wrote: It could be for the best that we missed out on BOTH Petrecca and Merrett this year

BOTH IN CAPS

Anyway, only one works.

 

[Hawkk]

You wrote: It could be for the best that we missed out on BOTH Petrecca and Merrett this year

BOTH IN CAPS

Anyway, only one works.

Yeah I just realised that. I meant one and not both.

 

[FB19]

Don’t worry I will post the relevant pic…

 

[kazzooka]

First and second round pick and a fringe player for Merrett is looking more likely.

Players I could live with being included would be, CJ, HH, BMac, Ramsden,S.Mitchell, Serong.

Agree with others that Reeves could be a big player with the 5 on bench and no bounces.

Everyone else on the list I wouldn't classify as fringe (CJ probably not too but was sub a lot) as they played most games when fit, barring Mackenzie who I wouldn't include in this trade at all, expect him to have a similar year 4 to Ward.

Maginness, Morrison the only others that might be fringe in 2026 but wouldn't prefer not to lose if possible. Not sure Bombers would want either or be able to convince either and despite chasing Finn last season might have cooled due to serious injury.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

First and second round pick and a fringe player for Merrett is looking more likely.

Have been saying this the whole way through - nothing woudl make me happier

 

[ahhhhhh]

Have been saying this the whole way through - nothing woudl make me happier

If they were a smart club it would be Reeves.

 

[phlogiston]

So because he played 1 good game he wasn’t a bust? He played 61 games - that’s a bust for a number 1 pick.

Depends on how you measure being a bust or not.

If you measure in terms of flags, Boyd is only one of five number 1 draft picks to have won a premiership. Under that measure, scarcely a bust.

 

[BigMick2]

If they were a smart club it would be Reeves.

Agree , Greg Swan has already spoken about his distaste for the current rucking interpretations / rules , he has already done away with the bounce , he has spoken about removing the ability for a ruckman to cross the centre line when competing for the tap out , this is Meeks competitive advantage being the mountain he is , if and when the centre bounce becomes a Basketball throw up Ned Reeves will become a weapon ! He looks to improved his engine and around the ground work in the VFL this year reading the match reports . All that combined with 5 on bench he is a must keep I think !

Lets see what we need to do / give up to get Zach M.. Hopefully its not Ned !

 

[MazHawk]

Agree , Greg Swan has already spoken about his distaste for the current rucking interpretations / rules , he has already done away with the bounce , he has spoken about removing the ability for a ruckman to cross the centre line when competing for the tap out , this is Meeks competitive advantage being the mountain he is , if and when the centre bounce becomes a Basketball throw up Ned Reeves will become a weapon ! He looks to improved his engine and around the ground work in the VFL this year reading the match reports . All that combined with 5 on bench he is a must keep I think !

Lets see what we need to do / give up to get Zach M.. Hopefully its not Ned !

That's the club's view as well.

Ned wants to stay and we want to keep him.
Unless something goes horribly wrong he'll be inking the new contract in a couple of weeks.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

If they were a smart club it would be Reeves.

They have Bryan and Visentini plus that guy who played later in the year as a mid season pick? With the ponytail (Blakiston). They don't need rucks if they did they would have kept Goldy for another year.

 

[Dewwwww]

Assuming the Zach trade goes through (seems fairly agreed upon by both clubs) are we still a big chance to land another player this trade period? And if so an established older type of a younger up and coming player?

 

[Chubbs25]

First and second round pick and a fringe player for Merrett is looking more likely.

This would be very good if it happens.

Leaves our futures to get Humphrey

 

[Coathanger]

Players I could live with being included would be, CJ, HH, BMac, Ramsden,S.Mitchell, Serong.

Agree with others that Reeves could be a big player with the 5 on bench and no bounces.

Everyone else on the list I wouldn't classify as fringe (CJ probably not too but was sub a lot) as they played most games when fit, barring Mackenzie who I wouldn't include in this trade at all, expect him to have a similar year 4 to Ward.

Maginness, Morrison the only others that might be fringe in 2026 but wouldn't prefer not to lose if possible. Not sure Bombers would want either or be able to convince either and despite chasing Finn last season might have cooled due to serious injury.

Ramsden?
You’re joking right?

 

[I got the outside word]

This would be very good if it happens.

Leaves our futures to get Humphrey

Unless the first and second that Newmo has alluded to are already futures…

 

[Chubbs25]

Unless the first and second that Newmo has alluded to are already futures…

Well if that's the case pick 8 even better for Humphrey

 

[thehardway]

Trade period starts tomorrow. I'm fully expecting Merrett to publicly announce that he wants to be traded to Hawthorn. Then the fun begins.

 

[Agent_99]

HH

 

[fairdinks]

By trading away our 2024 1st pick earlyish in the trade period last year showed West Coast we were not going to sit on our hands all week. I wonder if this strategy will encourage Bombers to deal, in good faith, earlier than the last 30 minutes of trade week.

I don't think the hawks will play silly buggers by offering unders for Merrett, so Bomber's attitude will be interesting. We want him and will pay the price.

 

[FB19]

If Reeves is signing first 3 years surely the risk is Ramsden looks elsewhere. They can’t all play so why would both stay? I rate him so only want him to leave if it helps get Humphrey or Merrett.