I won't reveal my source, but I've heard it from a board member and another former player close to the club. Let me say that both had the same story and both were intoxicated at the time. They're friends so I'll look to confirm it.
Basically what I'm hearing is that there will be a fair exodus from the club this year, players like Gunston, Breust, poppy, Birchall and Frawley were all named. If what I heard was true they will be traded to get back into the 1st round of the draft this year and for future picks next year. Isaac Smith was also named. I'm not saying every player I listed will be traded, but I hear the Hawks are looking to the draft the next 2 years. Will confirm when I here more so by know means don't take this to the bank, but keep the Brisbane Lions as the main target for picks.
Midfielders and a quality Key Forward are targets. Which would make me think a mid this year and a mid and maybe a King twin next? Plus Irving Mosquito is looking like a 2nd rounder at this stage for next year. I thought I'd share I'm Hypothetical because of the intoxication levels during the conversation. Rioli and Roughead 100% NOT mentioned.
As someone else above said there's no way Gunston is being traded, to valuable with being able to play forward, back and wing (to an extent).
Bruest is on long term contract so unless he wanted to leave, don't see this happening.
Smith won't be traded as we need run, apart from him we have noone decent on on the wings, unless you consider Hartung and Henderson at his level.
Only players the club would trade would be Poppy, Birchall, Frawley and Stratts (currency + age)
I would prefer to trade out poppy and one of the 3 mentioned above to either get a young promising player or to upgrade our existing draft picks or for next years picks. Other than that doubt anything else will happen, as we already shown we have enough youngsters to re-start our rebuild and push for silverware.
Maybe a FA next year will help with that, so there might be someone we are targeting there- if this is the case it means we won't need to waste any picks on this player.
Doubt we will be super aggressive this year as next year might be a year to consolidate our game plan, putting more games into the younger players and generally allowing and promoting natural growth in our list.
If we were going to be aggressive i see it being during the 2018 trade period, as we will be looking to push for top 8/4 in 2019.
Just my 2 cents.