Hawthorn trading out two veteran star players for effectively nothing has confused and angered many supporters but it is simply how clubs manage their lists these days, says Justin Koschitzke.
Seeing midfield duo Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis exit the club under such circumstances reminded the former St Kilda big man of when the Saints made the tough call to release Nick Dal Santo.
After accepting that the list needed significant refurbishment the midfielder who had played 260 games for the Saints was allowed to join North Melbourne as a free agent at the end of 2013.
In return the club received the 25th pick in the 2014 national draft they used to trade for Brisbane ruckman Billy Longer, which was a plan that received a lot of criticism.
“One hundred per cent,” said Koschitzke on SEN radio when asked if the Lewis trade was a win for all involved.
“Does Lewy want to finish his career at Hawthorn? Yes.
“Do Hawthorn supporters want him to finish there? Yes, but is it practical? Probably not for him or the footy club.
“He might have a year left then they’re going to have to move him on because they have to rejuvenate the list.
“Melbourne has clearly given him an opportunity with three years… I saw it first hand with Nick Dal Santo in 2013 when he moved to the Roos.
“There was no way in the world Dal wanted to go anywhere else but the Saints had the long-term view which at the time everyone was up in arms about.
“How dare we get rid of a champion and whatever, the emotional tug of war that goes with it – but I don’t think there would be a Saints fan out there that couldn’t say it wasn’t a good thing.
“Because in came Billings, Dunstan and the next generation – Dal extends his career maybe by a year or so. “It’s just modern day list management.”