Essendon great Matthew Lloyd believes that a trade for Jack Gunston could be a 'win-win' for both Hawthorn and the triple-premiership winning Hawk.
Jack Gunston, who turns 30 later this year, has played all 10 seasons at Hawthorn under the coaching of Alastair Clarkson. But now, with the announcement of Clarkson's departure, large contract questions have been raised over the club's senior players.
Gunston, as well as Ben McEvoy, Liam Shiels and Chad Wingard all have contracts that end in 2022, whilst Luke Breust, Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O'Meara are contracted until 2023.
Lloyd told Channel 9's Footy Classified that Gunston sticks out as the most likely trade candidate out of that group.
"For me, the one that jumps out is Jack Gunston."@matthewlloyd18 takes a look at Hawthorn's list, and believes a veteran forward would be in high demand and have value.#9FootyClassified | Watch @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/vc3wGjZQni
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) August 4, 2021
โFor me the one that jumps out is Jack Gunston. I donโt know if heโll be there next year at the Hawthorn Football Club and heโs the one that jumps out for me,โ Lloyd said.
โI just think with Jack with a year to go, heโs been out all year โ letโs not forget he won the best and fairest last year, so (thatโs) the quality of player he is โ itโs just got me thinking whether Melbourne, Essendon and Collingwood all could do with a player like that.
The 29-year-old has been remarkably consisted member of the Hawthorn line-up during his tenure. Gunston is coming off a terrific 2020 year that saw him finish fourth in the Coleman and take out Hawthorn's best-and-fairest.
However, a back injury has cruelled the 29-year-old in 2021, keeping him to just the one game this season.
โHeโd want to stay in Victoria, heโs come back from Adelaide. I still think he has two or three quality years left in him at his age and I think he would want to go to a side close to finals," Lloyd added.
Fellow Footy Classified panelย member Ross Lyon challenged Lloyd on his suggestion of a Gunston trade.
โIโve got a contrarian view. I think if Alastair (Clarkson) had his time again, the way (Luke) Hodge was exited, (Jordan) Lewis was exited, (Sam) Mitchell was exited. Everyone lauded it but I think it ripped the heart and soul out of them," Lyon said.
โHere we are saying โletโs move Gunstonโ - heโs a triple-premiership player too."
But Lloyd believes that after 10 successful years at Hawthorn under Clarkson, Gunston might look finish his career elsewhere.
โThis isn't just about picking out a player, this is a player that I think is thinking about his future and leaving Hawthorn,โ Lloyd said.
โIโm talking about currency too. If youโve got a player whoโs considering their future and heโs got currency. I donโt think McEvoy has currency, I donโt think Liam Shiels has currency... I think Jack Gunston is one that (does).โ
Lloyd's comments come amidst reports that Gunston has strong words to younger players over the handling of Clarkson's departure.
These reports, as well as Gunston's relationship with his outgoing coach, will fuel speculation heading into this year's trade period.
