Hawthorn is understood to have tabled a two-year offer to out-of-contract North Melbourne defender Josh Goater.
The Hawks are set to be very busy this off-season, with dealings for Zach Merrett and Ben King to unfold in the coming weeks.
But the brown and gold have targeted a young Kangaroo, who has emerged in 2026 as an impressive rebounder.
According to SEN, Goater was offered a lame deal by North Melbourne, a one-year contract. But due to the Hawks' interest, they have upped the contract to include a trigger for a second season.
Hawthorn's deal offers the 23-year-old more security and is more appealing as the club has made back-to-back preliminary finals.
Goater has played 18 senior games in four years, dealing with serious injuries that have sidelined him for long stretches at North Melbourne.
He missed the entire 2025 season and returned this year to play six matches, all in the back half of the year.
Hawthorn has Picks 15, 25, 26, 33 and 64 heading into the upcoming trade and draft period.
The Hawks are hoping Gold Coast doesn't match King's bid and accepts the free agency compensation, which would be Pick 7.
If the Suns match King's bid, it will force a trade, ultimately complicating the list management decisions at Dingley.
Merrett and his move from the Bombers will need a trade between the two clubs, given he is contracted until the end of next year.
It will be the star midfielder's second-straight year attempting to get to Hawthorn.
Essendon has tabled a deal for young Hawk Noah Mraz, and the Tullamarine club is hopeful he could be part of the negotiation.
