Hawthorn has expressed an interest in young Geelong midfielder Cooper Stephens as we approach the AFL trade deadline.
It is not expected that the Cats would demand the world in a trade for him given their dominant trade period to this point and Stephens’ desire to play regular football.
While there’s a chance he could be in brown and gold by the end of the day, both the Cats and Hawks will be busy elsewhere.
Geelong is attempting to bring home Ollie Henry from Collingwood, while dealing with Port Adelaide on an Esava Ratugolea trade.
Hawthorn meanwhile could trade out midfield pair Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara.
Stephens played seven games in 2022 and is contracted for next season.
Opportunities may be slim in 2023 for the former first round draft pick at the reigning premiers with Jack Bowes and Tanner Bruhn already added to the depth chart.