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.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I remember that.

Wasn't the argument that was Reeves the best tap-ruck ever - in the 5m circle.

Despite not really ever touching the ball outside of it......

Been some bonkers claims on here but that one was the best!

It’s a literal fact that when Reeves was first ruck - before the rule change - Hawthorn were second only to Freo for Ruck hitouts win %, 5th for average hitouts, 5th for hitouts to advantage, and as a consequence of his dominance at the tap Hawthorn were 3rd in the comp for Centre Clearances with 3 of our starting 4 mids under 50 games.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Sam had stamped his papers in anticipation of receiving Merrett in return.

Come on, his papers were stamped long before then.

He’s behind Frenchy, Ward, Maginness and possibly even Butler headed into 2026.

We’d need to have a bunch of injuries for him to feature in round 1 as a centre square mid, which is his sole position.

 

[Hawker399]

Hobbs is slow...very slow

 

[SSSSSS]

It’s a literal fact that when Reeves was first ruck - before the rule change - Hawthorn were second only to Freo for Ruck hitouts win %, 5th for average hitouts, 5th for hitouts to advantage, and as a consequence of his dominance at the tap Hawthorn were 3rd in the comp for Centre Clearances with 3 of our starting 4 mids under 50 games.

We were also number 1 for centre clearance differentials in the time

Dominated the area.

 

[SSSSSS]

That being said I would prefer to run with Meek as the sole ruck and have Chol pinch hitting.

I really like Chol as the second ruckman. It helps him stay involved in the game and I think he's the type of player who needs that secondary role on the ball to keep the confidence up. A lot of forwards can get in their head when they are starved of touches.

He's also just so athletic that he can cause problems in the centre square. Given us a spark when we needed it from time to time.

 

[IdiotBox]

Don’t believe we did door knock though did we? I wonder why?

Shoulda just slid a bit of paper under the door...

 

[Sixpence]

I completely missed him.
On account of him not being a forward, unlikely to even play and not being named Harry.

What do you think Prince Harry's real name is?

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

What do you think Prince Harry's real name is?

I’m lost again

 

[MuzzHawk]

I’m lost again

Haha.

Prince Harry’s actual name is Henry. Harry is a nickname.

 

[Sixpence]

I’m lost again

Harry is the short form of Henry! Prince Harry's real name is actually Henry.

So calling Henry Hustwaite, Harry, isn't too crazy.

 

[SSSSSS]

I might have to change my name to HHHHHH to keep up with all these Harry's and Henry's.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Harry is the short form of Henry! Price Harry's real name is actually Henry.

So calling Henry Hustwaite, Harry, isn't too crazy.

Isn’t Hank the short form of Henry?

I had no idea Harry was, and I pay no attention to the royals so had no idea about that either.

 

[unitedhawk2]

Is Harry is actually Morrison's first name?

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Harold

 

[Fleabane]

Isn’t Hank the short form of Henry?

I had no idea Harry was, and I pay no attention to the royals so had no idea about that either.

Hank's an American short form. Harry is an English short form of Henry.

But Harry can also just be a name on its own though, doesn't need to be a short form.

 

[Spook]

We have 6 delisting, retirements and trades, we have 6 spots to fill in a weak draft. So we have to look outside the traditional drafts. We are short on mids. Is it worth getting Tom Mitchell as a delisted free agent for the short term?

 

[sinkintins]

Haha.

Prince Harry’s actual name is Henry. Harry is a nickname.

Bloody Pom trivia on a hawks page, can tell the Ashes is coming up hahaha

 

[bigmaxi]

We have 6 delisting, retirements and trades, we have 6 spots to fill in a weak draft. So we have to look outside the traditional drafts. We are short on mids. Is it worth getting Tom Mitchell as a delisted free agent for the short term?

2 draft picks, 2 elevations, 1 spec’y pick, in the rookie draft …….(breath, hit the high notes here) and a pre-season pick!
(To the tune of the First day of Christmas)

 

[unitedhawk2]

Come on, his papers were stamped long before then.

He’s behind Frenchy, Ward, Maginness and possibly even Butler headed into 2026.

We’d need to have a bunch of injuries for him to feature in round 1 as a centre square mid, which is his sole position.

If you're talking about 2025, I'd agree with you - but he's not that far behind that he can't make the ground up.

To put it into perspective, I'd rate his chances of becoming a regular in 2026 far higher than I would've rated Gunston's chances of becoming our 2025 Peter Crimmins Medal winner at this time, prior to pre-season, in 2024.

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

It’s a literal fact that when Reeves was first ruck - before the rule change - Hawthorn were second only to Freo for Ruck hitouts win %, 5th for average hitouts, 5th for hitouts to advantage, and as a consequence of his dominance at the tap Hawthorn were 3rd in the comp for Centre Clearances with 3 of our starting 4 mids under 50 games.

That 2023 season was awesome

 

[Spook]

2 draft picks, 2 elevations, 1 spec’y pick, in the rookie draft …….(breath, hit the high notes here) and a pre-season pick!
(To the tune of the First day of Christmas)

That’s 4 spots filled, so do we go with a smaller squad?

 

[mustang]

It’s a literal fact that when Reeves was first ruck - before the rule change - Hawthorn were second only to Freo for Ruck hitouts win %, 5th for average hitouts, 5th for hitouts to advantage, and as a consequence of his dominance at the tap Hawthorn were 3rd in the comp for Centre Clearances with 3 of our starting 4 mids under 50 games.

Which makes me wonder if the taller players return to be the dominant rucks, seeing the bounce is gone and it like a basketball throw up now.

 

[Dewnior]

I might have to change my name to HHHHHH to keep up with all these Harry's and Henry's.

 

[Fleabane]

Just a question about CJ. With all the Merrett focus (which I have to admit I got very caught up in, sigh), I missed the detail on his move to the Demons. Did he initiate the move? It seems to have happened pretty quickly without much fanfare.

He's so close to the players so I'm guessing he wasn't unhappy exactly but is hoping to reignite/improve his career and playing prospects? Is that right?

Incidentally I think the Dees are a good fit. Clearly trying to build a strong culture with carefully chosen new recruits. It should be a positive place to be. Hope he does well and plays to his potential but he will be missed!

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Just a question about CJ. With all the Merrett focus (which I have to admit I got very caught up in, sigh), I missed the detail on his move to the Demons. Did he initiate the move? It seems to have happened pretty quickly without much fanfare.

He's so close to the players so I'm guessing he wasn't unhappy exactly but is hoping to reignite/improve his career and playing prospects? Is that right?

Incidentally I think the Dees are a good fit. Clearly trying to build a strong culture with carefully chosen new recruits. It should be a positive place to be. Hope he does well and plays to his potential but he will be missed!

He'd been looking for more opportunity and we were ok with that.