Despite a semi-final exit against Port Adelaide, the Hawthorn Hawks are poised to make significant strides in the 2025 season. One of the major moves involves St Kilda’s Josh Battle, who has chosen Hawthorn as his preferred destination for the upcoming year. This addition is seen as a major enhancement for Sam Mitchell’s squad, addressing the team’s previous vulnerabilities in key areas. The Hawks are also targeting West Coast Eagles star Tom Barrass, who has requested a trade to Hawthorn. The cost for Barrass could be steep, potentially involving the sacrifice of two first-round picks along with a future second-round pick, as reported by Herald Sun’s Jay Clark. Despite the high asking price, Barrass and Battle would both address critical needs for the Hawks.
Additionally, the Hawks have shown interest in Giants defender Harry Perryman, adding to their list of potential acquisitions. The club has reportedly offered a substantial contract to Perryman, though securing all three players—Battle, Barrass, and Perryman—remains a challenging task.
Meanwhile, there are whispers about Bailey Smith, the Bulldogs player who might move to Geelong instead of Hawthorn. The Hawks will also see some changes within their roster, including the retirement of small forward Chad Wingard after 218 games and uncertainty surrounding defender Denver Grainger-Barras’s future with the club.
Ruckman Ned Reeves, still under contract until 2026, could be considered available for trade following his demotion by former Docker Lloyd Meek in 2024. On the other hand, veteran players Luke Breust and Jack Gunston have secured one-year extensions and will continue to contribute to the team. With these changes, the Hawks are clearly gearing up for a more competitive season in 2025.
