Sam McClure believes Jon Patton will join Hawthorn next year.
McClure is confident the GWS forward will leave the Giants for the Hawks and feels it won’t take much to get a deal done to suit all parties involved.
“I think he’ll be there next year,” he said on SEN Mornings.
Prompting Nick Riewoldt to ask: “What would they have to give up for him?
“Similar to the Tom Scully situation?”
McClure replied: “Yeah, I don’t think much.
“He’s done three knees now. He’s on a lot of money.
“The Giants have got enough money to pay (Stephen) Coniglio, so put that to one side.
“They’ve got (Lachie) Whitfield coming out of contact at the end of next year. They’ve got (Tim) Taranto and (Jacob) Hopper who look like they might be $700,000 players themselves soon.
“They’ve got to keep turning the wheel. It’s a deal that will make sense for all parties.”
26-year-old Patton, who is contracted until 2020, remains sidelined with the torn ACL he sustained in Round 15 last year against Hawthorn, his third serious knee injury.
He has played 89 games for the Giants after debuting in 2012.