The Hawks were happy to clear out top-rated talent this off-season to further turn their attention toward youth and development.
The likes of Tom Mitchell, Jack Gunston and Jaeger O'Meara all departed for rival clubs ahead of the 2023 season, giving Sam Mitchell the ability to attack the draft and further trade avenues to bring in players that will be part of their list revamp.
In an ideal world where the Hawks would be able to 'steal' any rival player, look at the talent that the brown and gold club would most want on their list amid their rebuild.
This exercise assesses each AFL team's list needs and names four players that club could steal if contracts and salary caps weren't a factor.
List needs
Youth. The Hawks have made it clear they're starting from scratch under Sam Mitchell, and while plenty of their premiership puzzle pieces are already part of their 2023 list, a few more additions will help them on their way back up the ladder for the years ahead.
Searching through the league's most promising players, we then need to divide any enticing target to a particular void in Mitchell's squad, with several positions likely to be of interest.
An athletic forward in the frame of Jack Gunston would be toward the top of the Hawks' wish list, with a partner for Mitch Lewis sure to be a welcome addition if they were to find the perfect player.
Another area in the Hawks' forward half would be on the flank, with a half-forward threat that can rotate through the midfield another area the Hawks could place some attention toward.
Their inside midfield ensemble for the future looks to be cemented, with Jai Newcombe set to lead the charge while his deputies in Josh Ward, Cameron Mackenzie, Henry Hustwaite and Cooper Stephens also look to strut their stuff.
But perhaps a wingman that can slot onto the outskirts of this burgeoning midfield group might be where the Hawks look next.
Below we name four targets Hawthorn would love to 'steal', and name the one player that would top their list.
SEE ALSO:
IF RICHMOND COULD STEAL ONE PLAYER
IF CARLTON COULD STEAL ONE PLAYER
IF COLLINGWOOD COULD STEAL ONE PLAYER
IF WEST COAST COULD STEAL ONE PLAYER
IF ST KILDA COULD STEAL ONE PLAYER
1. Max Holmes
Holmes was arguably the best wingman in the AFL in the latter stages of the 2022 season, proving to be a key cog in the home stretch for Geelong as he stood up come September ni his two finals appearances.
The speedy Cat showed great ball-winning and attacking traits in his sophomore season of 2022, framing as another great pickup for Geelong as they too look toward the future.
But in this exercise, would the Hawks ponder moving for Holmes and plucking him out of Kardinia Park if they had the power to?
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Inside50s
Given a wing option would be attractive for Sam Mitchell to consider, a young and emerging outside midfielder doesn't get much more tempting than Max Holmes.
