Hawk Brockman, following Hawthorn’s pick-one play, is heading west to the Eagles.
The Hawthorn forward Tyler Brockman has agreed to a contract with the West Coast clubs that will let him to go back to his native state of Western Australia.
For the uncontracted Brockman, the Eagles sent the Hawks picks 44 and 63, which is the same as selection 38 on the draft value index. The agreement was verified to this masthead by two reliable people who were involved in the negotiations.
Hawthorn made an ineffective attempt to include Brockman in a trade that included the Hawks’ No. 4 pick this year and their 2024 first-round pick in order to obtain West Coast’s pick one, but the Eagles turned it down.
Before Wednesday night’s trade period deadline, list management insiders from multiple clubs anticipate West Coast will not determine whether to “split” the No. 1 choice. On Monday, October 23, there will be a further chance for choice swaps, and clubs may also exchange selections while the draft is underway.
If the Eagles are willing to trade the first pick, North Melbourne is generally considered the favorite because they have five picks inside the top 20, including Nos. 2 and 3.The general consensus for this year’s crop’s best potential is gun youngster Harley Reid.
Instead of making any trades in exchange for Brockman, West Coast increased their offer from 44 on their own, which Hawthorn had previously rejected, and managed to slip him into the preseason draft without sacrificing anything.
In the days leading up to Lachie Schultz’s departure to premiers Collingwood, Fremantle attempted to persuade Brockman to sign a four-year contract with them in lieu of Schultz, but he was emphatic about wanting to play for the Eagles.
Manager of the West Coast list Rohan O’Brien was ecstatic to sign Brockman, a Subiaco product, who agreed to a three-year contract to play with close friend Liam Ryan. For familial reasons, Brockman was eager to return to Perth with his partner and twin daughters.
“We were very interested in Tyler during his first draft year, so we are happy to have completed this deal that brings him to the team,” O’Brien remarked. “By closing the deal now, Tyler will have assurance as he gets ready to move his young family home and can be here for the start of preseason.”
Given that they need additional draft points to match offers on possible father-son acquisitions Will McCabe and Calsher Dear, as well as their ongoing efforts to acquire the Suns’ Mabior Chol and Essendon’s Massimo D’Ambrosio, the trade might benefit Hawthorn in a number of ways.
For Chol, Gold Coast has demanded a future second-round pick, which the Hawks have thus far declined to give up.
In exchange for key forward Jacob Koschitzke, who wishes to play for Richmond, Hawthorn list manager Mark McKenzie will receive at least one draft pick and now have No. 44 to add in a potential counter-offer.
After making an unexpected request on Friday to return to the team he won three premierships with, despite only having left for the Brisbane Lions a year prior, former Hawk Jack Gunston might be Hawthorn’s third addition this trade season. Chol and D’Ambrosio would be given priority, according to the Hawks.
In order to prevent the Lions from reducing their free agency compensation for losing Dan McStay to the Magpies, they decided to trade Gunston a year ago for a pick 48 and a potential fourth-round pick.
The 32-year-old, who scored 22 goals in 17 games for Brisbane this season despite missing the grand final and preliminary final due to a knee injury, has not yet indicated if he will be traded.
Hugo Ralphsmith and Rhyan Mansell of Richmond have extended their contracts, guaranteeing their stay at Punt Rd for a more year. This year, Mansell participated in 17 senior games, mostly as a half-forward. He scored ten goals while starting five times as a substitute.
This season, Ralphsmith played in 13 games and averaged 11 disposals per contest.
Ralphsmith and Mansell offered versatility, according to Blair Hartley, talent manager with the Tigers.
“Hugo and Ryan have demonstrated their ability to function at the AFL level in a variety of roles,” he stated.
“After a fantastic preseason, we are eager to watch these two young players continue to make progress the following year. We are thrilled to have them back with the team in 2024.”
