Suns reportedly reject Hawthorn’s offer for contracted forward: AFL trade news

Gold Coast have rejected Hawthorn’s first offer for contracted forward Mabior Chol, with the Hawks offering the Suns a future third-round pick whilst also hoping to gain a pick in return.

Whilst Chol is contracted for a further two years there is interest in luring him back to Victoria after he was only selected at AFL level eight times this season. The out-of-favour forward had a strong VFL finals series, kicking five goals against the Box Hill Hawks to secure a grand final appearance for the Suns.

According to News Corp, Gold Coast believes that they should receive greater compensation for Chol as Hawthorn is reportedly offering him a four-year deal with a five-year trigger.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn was reportedly looking for a pick inside the top 25 from Richmond for wantaway forward Jacob Koschitzke. Hawthorn had offered him a one-year deal which he turned down, instead requesting a trade to Richmond as they seek a Jack Riewoldt replacement.

Hawthorn are also set to lose young forward Tyler Brockman, who requested a trade to West Coast. However, Fremantle are said to have offered him a four-year deal on Thursday afternoon in an effort to land him, with the Hawks reportedly keen on the deal as they seek to land Liam Henry at Waverley Park.

However, Brockman remains keen on being traded to West Coast.

Fremantle are also set to lose small forward Lachie Schultz to Collingwood, with the Victorian requesting a move east despite his contract status.

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Hawk-turned-Magpie Tom Mitchell has spoken on his disappointing departure from Hawthorn, noting he didn’t feel welcomed early into his final year with the club.

Mitchell has played 197 games at three clubs – Sydney, Hawthorn and now Collingwood, winning the 2018 Brownlow Medal as a Hawk before playing an influential role in Collingwood’s 2023 premiership.

Speaking on the Ball Magnets podcast, Mitchell offered insight into his final year with the Hawks, revealing the moment he knew he didn’t want to play for the club going forward.

“Certain things happened, they wanted me out,” said Mitchell.

“One particular meeting on a game review I got barrelled, all five clips were on me and that was the meeting done. I walked out thinking are you serious, this is unprofessional, and unfair, from that point onwards I knew I wasn’t coming back to Hawthorn next year. I didn’t feel valued at all at Hawthorn.

“I remember I would come to the bench and it was all about how many centre bounce attendances I was at and how many I was allowed to go to. I was only allowed to go to eight or ten for the game.

“By the end of my time at Hawthorn, I’m thinking not how to get better or help the team to get better but thinking about how to get away from the ball and game, completely against everything I’ve ever done.”

Mitchell said he understood that the AFL is a business and there isn’t always much loyalty in footy, touching on how lucky he was to join Collingwood.

“Collingwood wanted me, not many other teams did,” he said.

Mitchell said he’s loving life at Collingwood, working under coach Craig McRae and closely bonding with the playing group.

“Regardless if we won, I’m just a much happier person where I am in life, it’s a credit to ‘Fly’ (McRae), to be honest, and the players embracing me,” he added.

Mitchell also shared the heartbreak of losing the 2016 Grand Final with the Sydney Swans and what he changed in 2023 to have such a successful year, playing 26 games for Collingwood.

“Saving my mental energy for game day. Also finding patches in the game, before the game, during the breaks to have a laugh or to take a moment to take in the atmosphere of the stadium which I have never done before this year,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell said even though he has only been at Collingwood for one year, he considers himself a Pie for life now.