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.

 

[StackedHunch]

Merrett could put a $2M price tag on himself and they’d still re-draft him.

Sounds like a win-win for Zach.

 

[Howe Amazing]

Elijah Hollands I hope we are looking into. Finn was also an inside mid back in TAC worth a go too, he is a bull

 

[H00t]

Essendons perspective is that they had an injury year and when they get their players back they will be a 7-10th placed team... "don't need picks".
Everyone that doesn't rate their list sees it as a good deal.. I mean look at their list

Im buoyed that we didn't offer up cam mackenzie- I think it means we rate him highly

Just as funny is “apparently” they don’t have the list space to take 2 more first round picks this year.

By a quick count including Merrett they have 20 AFL quality players (being generous) currently on their list.

Even with no injuries they are going nowhere

 

[5minutes_of_Dew]

Elijah Hollands I hope we are looking into. Finn was also an inside mid back in TAC worth a go too, he is a bull

I thought this also but the trade thread on him has carlton supporters saying that the things he has done mean he will not be accepted back.

That's 2 clubs who have wrapped their arms around him and tried to help him with off field issues, one even living and training with his brother, and he still can't get right.

I believe his own brother even kicked him out of his house (they had been living together).

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

Elijah Hollands I hope we are looking into. Finn was also an inside mid back in TAC worth a go too, he is a bull

Good call on Finn

He made his name as a goal kicking mid in his TAC cup year. Was a big bolter. We have others who can do the finesse. Wouldn't surprise me to see him get some inside mid minutes now that Worpel is gone. There have been times where Finn has wrestled his way out of a tackle to free his hands. Is a very strong man

 

[unitedhawk2]

I wasn't insinuating AFL getting involved in the Merrett trade.

I meant that the ITKs of the time were getting fed information from sources close to the trade table. They didn't anticipate other forces intervening.

In the Merrett case it is the Essendon board.
In the Cogs case it's the AFLHQ.

ITKs can only provide info based on what they and their sources know. If someone comes in with a curve ball you can hardly blame them.

Yes, I realised what you meant a couple of minutes after I'd posted it but you replied before I was able to delete my (incorrect) post.

 

[To the Hawk]

The sooner Sam realises Cam is not a in and under mid the better . He is a finisher with superb skills. But like a good portion of our list he needs to lift his game with tackling efforts.

Agree with this. Needs to improve his competitiveness as a start. Clug was similar, Clug is who I see.

I know he wasn't great this year Worps, but an already weak clearance group is weaker. Mackenzie doesn't replace that as it's not a strength at all yet. Wardy is OK, but never going to be an elite clearance player. Cuts you up by foot and runs all day.

Nash should be on notice. Average year like worps. Butler lacks the height but could actually offer more as a defensive mid. Could emulate Tom Atkins this kid imo.

Day is elite at clearance but remains to be seen if we play him consistently mid.

Oddly think Hustwaite will benefit most from Worpel leaving as his one wood is first possession clearance and we will continue to need to get the ball on the outside to our biggest weapons.

Hate to say it, and couldn't predict it, but Long would actually be handy on the list. Competitive bugger. Would be keen for us to find a VFL version of that to be on the list as an option. Maybe Finn like others suggest

 

[I got the outside word]

Just as funny is “apparently” they don’t have the list space to take 2 more first round picks this year.

By a quick count including Merrett they have 20 AFL quality players (being generous) currently on their list.

Even with no injuries they are going nowhere

* have no future so they couldn’t trade their picks there either.

 

[nickrebellious]

GWS have to delist Conor Stone and put him on the rookie list for list spots. 190cm utility, former pick 15.

 

[cryptor]

GWS have to delist Conor Stone and put him on the rookie list for list spots. 190cm utility, former pick 15.

Is he actually good? Sounds like another Cooper Stephens.

 

[smeltitdeltit]

Regarding Vozzo's comments on the tardiness of Hawthorn's initial offer; I think the lag time had more to do with a feeling of futility than anything else. Pretty sure McCartney, McKenzie and Roughead would have known they were on a hiding to nothing thanks to Welsh and his media stooges, and went through the motions for Merrett's and Petroro's sake.

And knowing they were on a hiding to nothing, our guys should have had a contingency plan to fill that midfield hole. Let's hope the solution lies in the draft and that's the contingency plan.

“We will not trade him under any circumstances”
neck minnut
“The hawks waited until too late to offer us a deal”

Dipshits

 

[barbster]

Good call on Finn

He made his name as a goal kicking mid in his TAC cup year. Was a big bolter. We have others who can do the finesse. Wouldn't surprise me to see him get some inside mid minutes now that Worpel is gone. There have been times where Finn has wrestled his way out of a tackle to free his hands. Is a very strong man

Finn is coming from a long way back, I am not expecting much from him next year.

 

[Rhayader]

“We will not trade him under any circumstances”
neck minnut
“The hawks waited until too late to offer us a deal”

Dipshits

Rosa said the much same last night. And also that they only considered the offer/s out of “respect” for Zach and then immediately said their intention was always to keep him.

 

[Manila_Hawk]

Essendon held their nerve and their man Zach Merrett – but to what end? | Jonathan Horn

The Bombers captain couldn’t be more contemptuous of the place, but the club is claiming victory – it’s a fitting summary of the AFL trade period

www.theguardian.com

An interesting article.

 

[HeHateMe]

Agree with this. Needs to improve his competitiveness as a start. Clug was similar, Clug is who I see.

I know he wasn't great this year Worps, but an already weak clearance group is weaker. Mackenzie doesn't replace that as it's not a strength at all yet. Wardy is OK, but never going to be an elite clearance player. Cuts you up by foot and runs all day.

Nash should be on notice. Average year like worps. Butler lacks the height but could actually offer more as a defensive mid. Could emulate Tom Atkins this kid imo.

Day is elite at clearance but remains to be seen if we play him consistently mid.

Oddly think Hustwaite will benefit most from Worpel leaving as his one wood is first possession clearance and we will continue to need to get the ball on the outside to our biggest weapons.

Hate to say it, and couldn't predict it, but Long would actually be handy on the list. Competitive bugger. Would be keen for us to find a VFL version of that to be on the list as an option. Maybe Finn like others suggest

This is why I think Butler could be a real chance, we also have Huss but not sure about his defensive pressure in transition and if that weakness just won't work with our game.

 

[MasterSamurai]

Come on people, don't be so stupid. Why would Carlton get rid of a talented young player all the while lacking in talent?? Hollands has had his chance at two clubs and absolutely ****ed up big time over and over again. This stupid rhetoric about him staying at home , drinking himself to depression is bollocks. It's the opposite, drinking is the least of his problems and funnily enough, remembering his home address was a bigger problem on most nights. Would fit in well with the scum.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

The cognitive dissonance on the Zac Merrett trade board is a sight to behold FWIW, a cesspool for the truly delusional Bombers posters and anti Hawthorn brigade. If you want a chuckle head over there for a bit of entertainment.

 

[A Diakos]

That's not at all how you framed the post.

We're super lucky that Newmo and a number of other posters connect us to the inner sanctum. Just be thankful and try not to come across like a douchebage

Lost in translation then

For the 4 th time I’m not criticising or blaming him …I like his inputs

He was confident on 2 …it turned out completely different and I’m interested in his insights post event re how what and why

If I didn’t value his input wouldn’t have asked

I don’t need the chear leaders jumping up and down in paranoia defending I’ve said it 4 times not criticising blaming or pointing a finger just interested in his post review since outcome on the night not as planned

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Come on people, don't be so stupid. Why would Carlton get rid of a talented young player all the while lacking in talent?? Hollands has had his chance at two clubs and absolutely ****ed up big time over and over again. This stupid rhetoric about him staying at home , drinking himself to depression is bollocks. It's the opposite, drinking is the least of his problems and funnily enough, remembering his home address was a bigger problem on most nights. Would fit in well with the scum.

I'm reliably informed we have done our due diligence on him, so don't be too surprised if we give him a chance.

 

[sinkintins]

I'm reliably informed we have done our due diligence on him, so don't be too surprised if we give him a chance.

Would we potentially see a contract similar to JUH's that has behaviour clauses?

 

[Gunbarrel Jack]

Now that trade period is over and Merrett is stuck playing for the s**t truck that is the scum, are there any decent delisted FA that might be worth taking a punt on?

 

[Luke_Hodgey_15]

Lost in translation then

For the 4 th time I’m not criticising or blaming him …I like his inputs

He was confident on 2 …it turned out completely different and I’m interested in his insights post event re how what and why

If I didn’t value his input wouldn’t have asked

I don’t need the chear leaders jumping up and down in paranoia defending I’ve said it 4 times not criticising blaming or pointing a finger just interested in his post review since outcome on the night not as planned

Not lost in translation, it was poorly worded, own it.

I also responded 7 minutes after you posted, and you've reacted 100 minutes after me, with your 3 other comments in between, so it's not as though I was harping on about it.

I'm not a cheerleader, and I think it's deliberately disingenuous to assume anyone who thinks your post was rude is as well. Every year, we lose valued posters, some with close connections at the club, because people like you attack them when they put their opinions and intel on the line for our enjoyment.
I, and others, are asking that those who frequent this board not act like ass hats when it's proven that they, like everyone else, cannot tell the future.

 

[HairyO]

If players have a performance clause in their contract, their agents should now be pushing for a performance clause by the club added.

Zach re-signed with the bombers on the basis of a vision and a plan. The plan wasn't executed or went poorly.

Like the UK where is a team is relegated the contract is voided.

Would make a lot of sense.

 

[westhawk]

Stanley's kicking is extremely questionable. I like him at Box Hill, he runs all day and works hard but his kicking is very, very average.

Exactly why Freo let him go.

 

[FB19]

Ok now that the trade is done. What are ppls predictions for Top 8.

Unlikely players picked in PSD or Draft is changing any clubs list profile much from here on. Would like to see takes on how clubs will end up next season post GF. That wil give us a decent idea of worthwhile trades for F1/F2/f3 for our club ( both ways). My take

1. Hawks
2. Lions
3. Suns
4. Dogs
5. Cats
6. Giants
7. Crows
8. Swans
9. Saints
10. Pies
11. Freo
12. Blues
13. North
14. Port
15. Eagles
16. Dees
17. Scum
18. Tigers

So I would be keen to trade pick 10 with clubs in finishing outside Top 8 or giving up our F1 for clubs in Top 8 is a real talent we rate highly has slid down the order( not sure who)

I don’t see how eagles jump at all and north either. Suspect dees and scum slide as you have them blues about right and pies slide. Can’t have dogs top 4 without a key back. Not convinced on giants and think freo are definite finalists. No one from 12 down is giving up their f1 and swans without theirs it’s with Carlton. So only chances are saints and pies neither have a first this year so maybe if they like a player enough on the night. Personally I would take the pick or slide to suns 15. I floated this idea in the draft thread
Hawks trade 10 to north for 25 and f2, trade 22 and 25 to suns for 15 and f2. We still get a first round player and get an early second and a late second for deals next year - maybe a good compromise.