From an outsider's perspective, it appears as though the Hawthorn Football Club is falling apart after the ugly exit of Alastair Clarkson and the club’s odd trade period to date.
The Hawks are currently paying their former coach to holiday in the United States while their president is sending mixed messages to fans regarding the club’s list management plan.
On top of that, four of Hawthorn’s best and most senior players have been cast out as trade bait with all but one barely receiving a nibble.
The only bite they had was for Chad Wingard, who attracted interest from GWS, but he quickly shut down the rumour Wolf of Wall Street style.
The likes of Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell, triple-premiership player Jack Gunston and prized recruit Jaeger O'Meara have received little interest after being shopped around.
Yet despite how it looks, former Hawks champion Shane Crawford says it's just business as usual for the front office at Waverly Park.
“Ever since ‘Clarko’ (Clarkson) took over, at the end of the year he would virtually sit everyone down and say everyone’s on the trade table,” Crawford told Garry and Tim on SEN.
“If there’s a deal we can do that’s best for this football club because that’s the number one priority, we have to do it.
“That would be no different with what’s happening with Hawthorn right now and they would go back to those players each day if they come up in conversation and they’d ring them and say listen, your name’s come up.
“We’re not doing anything but your name’s come up.
“So at the moment, it seems like Hawthorn’s turned against their senior type players, (but) they’re just looking after what’s best for the football club moving forward if there’s something there.”
Hawthorn’s intentions certainly have added a bit of spice to the trade period and anything could happen to O’Meara, Gunston, Mitchell and Wingard on the final afternoon of the trade period.
Whatever happens, incumbent coach Sam Mitchell will definitely have his work cut out for him when the Hawks return for pre-season training.
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