AFL
3 months ago
How Hawthorn is a genuine chance to land BOTH Battle and Barrass this off-season
By Lachlan Geleit
Channel Nine’s Tom Morris thinks that Hawthorn is a genuine chance to land both Josh Battle and Tom Barrass this off-season.
The Hawks have long been chasing St Kilda’s unrestricted free agent Battle with SEN’s Sam Edmund reporting that coach Sam Mitchell has called the defender on multiple occasions in a bid to lure him across to Waverley Park.
As for Barrass, that reported interest is more recent but the Eagle has already met with Mitchell and Hawthorn officials despite being contracted until the end of the 2027 season.
While both players would command long-term deals on big money to move clubs, Morris thinks they’re a real chance to acquire both due to their salary cap space and that only Barrass would need to be traded given Battle’s free agency status.
Morris says that the Hawks are hoping to set up their defence with additions from rival clubs just as Melbourne did with Steven May and Jake Lever - a now premiership-winning duo.
“Yes, they can. I think they are a good chance to get both of them,” Morris said on SEN Breakfast.
“They're trying to set up two pillars in defence, like what Melbourne did with Jake Lever and Steven May … they’re trying to do the same thing.
“Battle is a free agent so they can get him with just their salary cap and Tom Barrass is weighing up Hawthorn's overtures.
“The Hawks (will give Barrass) a five-year deal, the Dogs are offering four of five years as well.
“But Hawthorn are willing to offer five years on big money and we know Sam Mitchell met him.”
Morris also thinks that the Hawks are in the running to nab both players given their status as a destination club given their cap space, rapid improvement and coaching staff with Mitchell at the helm.
“We also know that the Hawks are unashamedly ambitious,” Morris said.
“So, yes, it is possible that they can (get both). The Hawks, I would say if you're going to have a ladder of the most attractive clubs to go to at the moment, the Hawks are at the very top of that list.
“They've got money, they've got an excellent coach and they are rapidly improving.”
Morris also gave an update on the likes of Barrass, Battle, Clayton Oliver and more on SEN Crunch Time last weekend.
