Contracted Hawthorn duo Tom Mitchell and Jack Gunston could be susceptible to exits from the Hawks amid the club's rebuild and coaching handover to club great Sam Mitchell.

The pair have both recently been linked to potential moves to rival clubs, with SEN's Sam Edmund now reporting that there are "no guarantees" for the star duo.

Mitchell was reportedly open to a move elsewhere should a keen Victorian club come calling, with any report of the sort extinguished by Alastair Clarkson at the time.

TOM MITCHELL
Midfielder
Hawthorn
2021 SEASON AVG
34.3
Disposals
4.9
Tackles
4.8
Clearances

However, with Sam Mitchell potentially looking to refreshen the club's list for next season, the Brownlow medalist could be one to depart should Hawthorn look to acquire draft capital for the future.

At 29 years of age, Gunston may also be seen as a viable trade option in order to further strengthen the Hawks' draft hand, with the sharpshooting forward already believed to be in the sights of the Demons.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 04: Jack Gunston of the Hawks celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL round 07 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 04, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Speaking on Crunch Time, Edmund revealed that while the Hawks would be keen to retain the pair, suitable offers could sway their thinking.

“There’s certainly plenty of whispers about Tom Mitchell being open for a trade,” Edmund said.

“My understanding is Jack Gunston is more inclined to stay than Tom, do they reset under Sam Mitchell aggressively?

“Hawthorn want to keep both is my understanding, on the assumption that the big offer doesn’t come (from elsewhere), but there’s no guarantees.”

The Hawks will enter the 2021 National Draft with the fifth overall selection as they are likely to hold their first-round pick to further bolster their young stocks.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 20: Changkuoth Jiath of the Hawks in action during the round one AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Hawthorn Hawks at Marvel Stadium on March 20, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Incoming senior coach Mitchell will inherit a rich list of young stars, with the likes of Changkuoth Jiath, Will Day, Dylan Moore, Jack Scrimshaw, James Worpel and Denver Grainger-Barras all aged 22 or under.

With finals an unlikely outcome for the Hawks over the next two seasons, a chance at a premiership for the likes of Gunston and Mitchell may come with greater opportunities elsewhere.

Gunston was understood to be among those that stood up in support of Clarkson during the club's messy handling of their coaching handover, with the Hawks spearhead reportedly vehement in how the four-time premiership coach's position at the club was being questioned by younger players.