Other than the obvious need for young high end talent, I strongly believe that we should chase 2-3 senior leaders from other clubs (preferably with premiership experience). Of course without having to give away valuable higher draft picks.
Unfortunately as many of our current older players aren’t showing enough form, let alone guidance for the younger ones, there is a huge vacuum that urgently requires attention. Particularly if we have another hard cull at the end of the season.
North seem to be getting value from Parker and Daniels. And the early signs of Steele and Mihocek at Melbourne.
Improved senior leadership along with continued growth in player development is of upmost importance.
I think a point that’s getting missed here is that Hawthorn’s goal isn’t just to get Zach Merrett on their list. They want to win a flag. They’re one of the oldest teams in the competition already (only Collingwood and Sydney are fielding older teams this weekend). Can they really afford to sacrifice next year if it risks shrinking their window with their current group?
You’d expect Zach to have around 3 good years left after this year. Leaving him on the table for 2027 immediately sacrifices 33% of that value, at least. To your point, there’s no point getting Hawthorn getting cute.
The only way they wait is if they find a bigger fish or they go cold on him, and if that’s the case, Zach surely looks elsewhere.
That’s asking for them to put more in the pot. Whether they give us the picks and we trade up, or do it themselves, asking for better picks is saying “improve the offer”.
I think that’s about as much as we can hope for, and I hope we get it. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re offered their 1st and one of the 2026 seconds they have instead though.
