Hawthorn had a tremendous AFL player movement period and has done well to retain two top 40 picks.
With so much depth in this year's crop, they should be able to get talent that would be viewed by some clubs as pushing the top 20 range despite not entering at Pick 29.
Draft hand: 29, 31, 71, 94, 107, 112
Given Hawthorn was a minute away from a grand final berth, it was a tremendous effort to also blood eight debutants – the most the club has had since 2022.
Adding some top-end talent to complement that, and stars Zach Merrett and Ben King would top off a brilliant off-season.
Hawthorn is also planning on matching bids for Next Generation Academy small forward Keenan Boi and father-son prospect Cooper Hodge.
It is also worth noting Hawthorn has priority access to AFL Academy duo Zane Adams and Henry Allsop in next year's crop as well as small utility Charlie Fischer who is firmly on the draft radar. They have three first/second round selections which should help them match a bid but if Adams, in particular, goes as highly as anticipated, there will be a juggling act.
Then in 2028, Hawthorn has Gold Coast's first-rounder and their own second-rounder, which will likely be needed to match a bid on livewire Isaac Brown, who projects as a top-10 talent.
List needs
Ruck: Most clubs have a developing big man on their list and that is something the Hawks do not currently have. Lloyd Meek is the obvious number one and Ned Reeves played alongside him for the first half of the year before missing a period with injury and not returning. But having delisted Max Ramsden, a developing ruck would make sense.
Winger: The Hawks do not want for much. If anything, another winger perhaps. Massimo D'Ambrosio is highly valued, with Harry Morrison often playing on the other wing and it's a role Cam Nairn played throughout the season at times and also in the VFL. Beyond that, there is no true, specialist wingers on the list. Sometimes a defender was used on the wing and with such a deep batting midfield, it's a role that could be given to an on-baller squeezed out of the rotation like Cam McKenzie. But having the flexibility of playing a true winger would be an option.
Potential targets
Keenan Boi: A powerful and high pressure small forward, Boi took out Gippsland's best and fairest this year. He's dangerous at forward 50 stoppages and his forward craft and dynamic skillset makes him a dynamic matchup for opposition defenders, while his ability to keep his feet and break free of congestion allows him to impact in the midfield. A bid will likely come somewhere in the second round – hopefully after their pair of second round selections.
Cooper Hodge: The son of premiership great Luke officially nominated to be a Hawthorn father-son earlier this year despite also being part of Brisbane's Academy. His ruthless competitiveness through the midfield is one of his great traits.
Ethan Herbert: A ruck the Hawks could take with one of their second-round selections, the South Australian was exposed as a forward this year, and that part of his game clearly grew. Has great ability to outmaouvre his opponents and take contested marks and is one of the most touted big men in the crop, highlighted by his selection in the AFL Academy earlier in the year.
George Gale: May not fall to Hawthorn's selection but if he does would likely be close to the best remaining available talent and has spent significant time on the wing. A long kick who runs all day and performs at every level he plays at, he is also quite AFL-ready, which he showed by impacting at WAFL League level for Claremont. He's also viewed as a strong character, captaining Western Australia this year at the National Championships.
Albert McGowan: Played significant time on the wing for Sandringham and Vic Metro this year. Lacks speed but makes up for it with his composure and ability to make the game slow when he gets the ball. Came second in the two kilometre time trial at the National Combine, highlighting his endurance and is a good overhead mark.
