LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 18: Sam Mitchell of the Hawks handballs during the 2016 AFL NAB Challenge match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Carlton Blues at Aurora Stadium on February 18, 2016 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Hawthorn star Sam Mitchell is set to leave the club to join West Coast, according to reports.

Damian Barrett revealed on AFL trade radio on Wednesday morning that the former Hawks' captain will play for the Eagles in 2017, in what could also involve a coaching role.

The 34-year-old confirmed he could make the move west in an interview on SEN Radio on Wednesday morning, while also revealing it was coach Alastair Clarkson who suggested the move.

"I didn't go to the club and say I want to go to West Coast," Mitchell said.

"Clarko came over and said, as a friend, is that something you'd be interested in?

"And you could have knocked me over with a feather to be honest."

The move could free up salary cap space for the possible inclusions of Sydney's Tom Mitchell and Gold Coast's Jaeger O'Meara.

"There's been some talk about this for two weeks, so the amount of people who have known about it with the behind the scenes going on at the club shows the respect between the two clubs," he said.

"If this goes through, because there's no certainty it will, we look at it as a win for Hawthorn, because it frees up salary cap space.

"And then hopefully I can go over and help West Coast."

Mitchell signed a one-year contract extension to play for the Hawks in 2017 earlier this year, meaning a trade will need to be orchestrated between the two clubs.

He has played 307 games for the Hawks, won four premierships, five best and fairest awards, is a three-time All-Australian and won the 2003 AFL rising star award.

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