Hawthorn are in a position to gain and lose a ruckman this trade period, as the Waverley Park club have reportedly re-set their sights on Collingwood big man Max Lynch.
Following reports last season that the Hawks were in the market for the 23-year-old, The Herald Sun has suggested that Sam Mitchell's side are readying themselves for another bid to land Lynch.
Having been drafted with the 51st pick of the 2017 rookie draft, the two-metre tall prospect has managed just three-games at AFL level, and across his pair of appearances in 2021, the mulleted Magpie averaged 20.5 hitouts and 11.5 disposals in a black and white jumper.
This latest revelation comes in the wake of news that the club are seeking to part ways with fellow ruck Jonathan Ceglar who remains contracted to the Hawks for another season.
Should the former Murray Bushranger remain in brown and gold stripes next year, he will become an unrestricted free agent at the cessation of 2022.
However, according to a tweet from SEN's Sam Edmund, Hawthorn are currently prepared to eat up to half of Ceglar's $350,000 contract for next season to shift him from their roster.
Hawks have told rivals they are prepared to pay more than half of Ceglar’s $350k contract for next year. Max Lynch more likely to come in than Peter Ladhams, who would still play more fwd than ruck at the Swans given the presence of Hickey. Cegs to Cats if Fort leaves for Lions. https://t.co/x3pElG9fbM
— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) October 6, 2021
Edmund also suggested that should Geelong ruckman Darcy Fort head north to the Lions this off-season, the 30-year-old Ceglar would likely land in Corio in an effort to relieve the Cats' previous ruck stock qualms.
In another twist to this multi-club rucking merry-go-round, Port's Peter Ladhams is still being linked with a switch to the Swans.
But in the eyes of Edmund, if the mustachioed twin-threat does trade Alberton for Moore Park, Ladhams will play predominantly as a forward given former Sun, Saint and Eagle Tom Hickey's rise to prominence at stoppages this season.
All of these mooted moves come in the wake of 202cm North Melbourne ruck Tristan Xerri's official request to join the Saints that was made on Wednesday evening.
St Kilda will be forced to part with a pick to land the Western Jets product, as the 22-year-old Xerri remains contracted for another year at Arden Street.
