Hawthorn free agent set to make move

Hawthorn’ Tim O’Brien is off to the Western Bulldogs, according to SEN Chief Sports Reporter Sam Edmund.

The 27-year-old is out of contract and will move to Whitten Oval as an unrestricted free agent.

“The deal is done to the Western Bulldogs, Edmund reported on AFL Trade Radio’s Trade Afternoons.

“Lewis Young is out and Tim O’Brien is in.”

Hawthorn list manager Mark McKenzie earlier confirmed the Dogs’ interest, saying he would depart with the club’s blessing.

“It looks like it (that he’ll move to the Dogs as a free agent) we’ve had some low level discussions and we know the Bulldogs have interest,” he said on AFL Trade Radio.

“Tim's been fantastic for us. If it does go that way, we wish him all the best.

“He’s someone who’s provided some great versatility for us and he’s a great person for us so if it does end up going that way, which it probably does seem like it will.

“I’m sure he’ll play some great footy in the future.”

Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney said he expects O’Brien to play as a defender at the Dogs, making the switch after spending the majority of his career at Hawthorn as a forward.

“The Dogs have had a good couple of years with the trade period,” he said.

“I’m assuming he wants to go there to play as a defender, you’d think he’s going to make his home at the Kennel in the back six.”