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Sport Nation
The trade target that could turn Hawks into premiership favourites
Nicholas Quinlan • August 9th, 2025 4:15 pm
SEN’s Sam Edmund has pondered whether or not Hawthorn should pursue another big-name midfielder during this year’s trade period.
Following last year’s meteoric rise up the ladder to play finals, they improved their defence in the trade period, adding St Kilda’s Josh Battle through free agency and West Coast’s Tom Barrass through the trade period.
And this season, the Hawks have been able to maintain their form, having won 14 games so far, with their defence improving to now only conceding 75 points a game (third best in the competition) as of Round 21.
Now, Hawthorn has been reported as wanting to add depth to their midfield with Harley Reid and Zak Butters as potential targets.
Speaking on the topic, Edmund wondered whether the Hawks needed to get another in their engine room.
“If you subscribe to the theory that they are a quality midfielder short, do they hold out and go out for the big fish?” Edmund pondered on SEN’s Crunch Time.
“The following year, Zak Butters, Harley Reid… may or may not stay at West Coast.
“Or do you try and get someone in the door this off-season?”
Dermott Brereton believes that if Hawthorn found a way to bring either Butters or Reid to his former club, then they would likely become favourites for the premiership next season.
But, he adds the important caveat that if any other contending teams were to add Butters into their line-up, then they too would be premiership favourites.
“You could say that about a lot of teams,” Brereton answered.
“But if you put Zak Butters into Hawthorn, they are probably favourites for next year.
“But you could say that about a few other teams with Zak Butters in (their team).”
In this year’s draft, Hawthorn currently has Carlton’s first-round pick, which currently sits at No.6, which would be central in any trade deal being able to get done for either Butters or Reid. They also hold their 1st round pick for 2026.
Hawthorn’s next match-up is against the Melbourne Demons, who they play next Saturday at the MCG.
