Recommitted Henry Hustwaite [OOC 2026] - mooted steak knives doesn't get done (stays at the Hawks)

[Philhawk]

Best to nip this in the bud early, he’s a contracted player so please keep your hands off him Essendon.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

‘DESPERATE TO GET OUT’: PROMISING HAWKS DUO ON MOVE?

“Henry Hustwaite is desperate to get out of Hawthorn. He wants a chance (elsewhere), he’s ready.

Carlton has been mentioned in dispatches; they’re a no. But Essendon is the club that’s potentially considering that.”

Hustwaite hasn’t played at the top level since Round 14 against Adelaide, and was subbed out in each of his last two games this season.

He is contracted at Waverley Park until the end of 2026.

 

[tigs2010]

Great headline "Desperate to get out" like he's some prisoner of war lol

 

[crankygeese]

I think he'll be a good get by another team. He looked good in his draft year. Just hasn't had the opportunities at the Hawks and considering they're looking to strengthen in the midfield seems pretty likely he'll get squeezed out.

His contracted status might help the Hawks get a bit more for him than they would otherwise, but he should still be available at a reasonably cheap rate.

Could see the Hawks moving him on as steak knives as part of a larger trade plan to get their own targets.

 

[Philhawk]

Similar elements to Ned Long. Dominates at VFL level but a tad slow at AFL. Won’t get into our midfield, but that isn’t to say he wouldn’t get in elsewhere. Would love to keep but imagine he’s included as part of a deal elsewhere.

 

[Barrybran]

Best to nip this in the bud early, he’s a contracted player so please keep your hands off him Essendon.

So Merrett + Draper compo for Hustwaite?

 

[Barrybran]

(That's a joke before anyone goes and takes it seriously)

 

[Philhawk]

So Merrett + Draper compo for Hustwaite?

He’s a contracted player and a leader at Box Hill so we expect him to stand by his contract.

 

[Barrybran]

He’s a contracted player and a leader at Box Hill so we expect him to stand by his contract.

If Essendon are open to letting Merrett go and were interested in Hustwaite, I can't see holding him to contact being beneficial to the Hawks.

 

[triple treat]

If Essendon are open to letting Merrett go and were interested in Hustwaite, I can't see holding him to contact being beneficial to the Hawks.

Unless we can sell it as a win we hold him to his contract!

 

[Sonny Hayes]

Essendon wouldn’t be interested in him, they wouldn’t target contracted players.

 

[Barrybran]

Essendon wouldn’t be interested in him, they wouldn’t target contracted players.

That's a fair point though I expect that feeling to change if their stance on Merrett changes

 

[Since 2001]

Essendon are an absolute disgrace. Speaking to a contracted player at hawthorn, while in finals.

This could distract him from being ready to play if required.

He has a.contract and committed to the plans of Hawthorn Football Club.

The gloves are off. Two firsts or gtfo

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

Essendon are an absolute disgrace. Speaking to a contracted player at hawthorn, while in finals.

This could distract him from being ready to play if required.

He has a.contract and committed to the plans of Hawthorn Football Club.

The gloves are off. Two firsts or gtfo

Nah, we should be reasonable - for their two first picks they'd need Reeves/Ramsden as well as Henry.

 

[TradeDraft]

Similar elements to Ned Long. Dominates at VFL level but a tad slow at AFL. Won’t get into our midfield, but that isn’t to say he wouldn’t get in elsewhere. Would love to keep but imagine he’s included as part of a deal elsewhere.

Ned Long is having a Very Good Season in 2025

 

[Hawker399]

Too right TradeDraft, Long has had a good season. Hustwaite has played heaps better in the VFL than Ned Long ever did.
Does that form and Long's performances reflect Hustwaite's value? It should because as players they are quite alike.

 

[Lore]

Great headline "Desperate to get out" like he's some prisoner of war lol

It’s a bit of a theme in the headlines atm.

My theory is there are so many competing platforms in this space now with multiple footy shows airing every night that they’ve gotten even more sensationalist in their editorialising.

 

[MasterSamurai]

Desperately!!! Yea, off course, getting selected to play two finals in a row must be really hard for young Sam! The ****ing utter garbage out there in media land is just getting worse by the day.

 

[Elite Pete]

Desperately!!! Yea, off course, getting selected to play two finals in a row must be really hard for young Sam! The ****ing utter garbage out there in media land is just getting worse by the day.

I think the Desperately was about Henry not Sam.

 

[Stratton_Gun]

Kills it at VFL level but looks not good enough at AFL level the few games he's played.

If he wants out, so be it. Wish him luck but I think he'll end up being one of those guys where their VFL dominance just doesn't translate

 

[The Jet From Poowong]

Kills it at VFL level but looks not good enough at AFL level the few games he's played.

If he wants out, so be it. Wish him luck but I think he'll end up being one of those guys where their VFL dominance just doesn't translate

He may make it at AFL level but has to play as the No 1 banana where others around him have leg speed to compensate

 

[Lore]

bump

 

[TazHawk15]

Very Ned Long like is HH.
Deserves to get a decent crack at AFL level
Would be a walk up start at about 6 clubs.

 

[boncer34]

Absolutely disgusting the Hawks refused to let him go in the end.

 

[jannissary]

Absolutely disgusting the Hawks refused to let him go in the end.

it's like they hate all their players, not just their first nation players. it's incredibly disappointing.