Hawthorn appears set to make another attempt at turning an injury-plagued talent fit and firing by offering a contract to Jon Patton.
The 26-year-old has endured three knee reconstructions and failed to play a senior game in 2019 for the beaten Grand Finalists, but was in full training towards the back end of the season.
BREAKING | Jon Patton has confirmed he wants a trade from GWS to Hawthorn.
“I love the Giants. It’s not that I necessarily want to leave there, I just think it’s the best thing for my career going forward."
Breaking News for AEG PowerTools. #AFLTrade pic.twitter.com/9bGu2K9x0F
— AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 1, 2019
Patton originates from Melbourne's east and it's said he has been on the Hawks' radar for the majority of the season as a key forward replacement for the outgoing Jarryd Roughead, having fallen short in the race for Tigers star Tom Lynch last year.
With Hawthorn possessing picks 11, 30 and 47, it's expected the latter should be sufficient to complete the deal, given Patton's chequered history on the medical table has restricted him to just 89 games since being drafted as a member of the inaugural Giants squad in 2011.
To complicate matters somewhat, though, both sides have a draft points agenda as they prepare for bids to come on father-son draftee Finn Maginness (Hawthorn) and academy zone selection Tom Green (GWS), the latter of whom should go in the opening dozen selections.
The Giants currently hold picks 12, 18 and 55 in the 2019 crop but may alternatively accept a future third-round selection from the Hawks to offload Patton's salary in order to prepare for increased bids on the likes of Lachie Whitfield and Coleman Medal winner Jeremy Cameron.
