Port Adelaide champion and AFL analyst Kane Cornes has suggested Hawthorn should be prepared for a tall forward to request a trade elsewhere.
The Hawks currently have a selection squeeze with five tall forwards; Jack Gunston, Mabior Chol, Max Ramsden, Calsher Dear and Mitch Lewis all available to be selected.
Gunston is currently seventh in the Coleman Medal leaderboard with 38 goals, with Chol sitting not far behind in 10th on 32 goals.
Speaking on SEN Breakfast, Cornes thinks either Dear or Lewis will request a trade at the end of the year if they can’t get into the AFL team by the end of the year.
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“I would be nervous from a list management point of view that one of those are vulnerable. It’s not going to be Gunston, but one of Dear and/or Mitch Lewis,” Cornes said.
“I like my man (Max) Ramsden, and Chol, you’re not taking his spot, and Gunston’s the hottest forward in the comp right now.”
Calsher Dear and Mitch Lewis both kicked three goals for the Hawks in the VFL on the weekend in a dominant win.
Cornes added that Dear would have an advantage if the Hawks had to choose between him and Lewis.
“Lewis is the one that I’d be going really hard for. Forget Oscar Allen, (he’s) nice, but Mitch Lewis... I would give him a big deal if I’m Brisbane, or a club that needs a key forward (such as) Melbourne,” Cornes added.
“It’s going to be tough for him to get a game at Hawthorn, because you’ve got Dear, who’s a father/son, you’ve got Chol.”
The Hawks are currently sitting in fifth place on 11 wins and 5 losses for the season as they look to make the finals for a consecutive year.
Hawthorn faces a big test this weekend as they take on ninth-placed Fremantle away in Perth at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.