Hawthorn are set to be one of the big players in Wednesday’s mid-season draft with two slots available to add a couple of players to their list.
According to AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich, the Hawks have had a close look at four players from their Box Hill VFL program.
One of those players is potential number-one selection Ryan Maric and Gabelich says the Hawks are also interested in Box Hill ruckman Ethan Stanley.
“They had four players training with the AFL program who might get picked next Wednesday night,” Gabelich told SEN Sportsday.
“They're all aligned with Box Hill, so this is completely legal.
“They've got two spots, so Hawthorn are not going to use them all on those players.
“But Ryan Maric is one that if he doesn't get past (pick) one, West Coast are looking at him at pick one, Hawthorn have got pick three, he won’t get past there.
“He's a key forward, he played last week for Box Hill and he’s going to play this week for Box Hill.
“He has sort of slipped through the cracks, he was 107 kilos two years ago, and now he’s a really athletic mobile forward.
“Ethan Stanley is the other one who's playing at Box Hill who looks really impressive, and Hawthorn are interested in him as well.”
With West Coast, North Melbourne and Hawthorn holding the first three picks as it stands, Gabelich named who he expects to go to each club with those selections.
"If I was going one, two and three … I can't see Ryan Maric getting past West Coast on pick one, it's going to be an interesting one and he met with them earlier in the week,” Gabelich said.
“I think Clay Tucker the ruckman, he’s the one that probably goes (pick) two.
“Hawthorn at pick three, I think will take Ethan Stanley, so that’s how I see the first three picks going.”
Once those three players are off the board, Gabelich expects several former AFL-listed players to earn second chances for the rest of the 2023 season.
“Then I start thinking we'll see some familiar names,” Gabelich said.
“Sam Naismith is one that we might end up seeing.
“We spoke about him last week, he met with Geelong this week too.
“There has been a lot of interest around Sam Naismith, I think if he was available six weeks ago in a waiver system he would have landed at Collingwood when they needed a ruckman, but now they probably don't need a ruckman.
“Oscar McDonald is one who has a lot of interest from Sydney … I think he may still go there because of all the issues they've got down back.
“Quinton Narkle is probably another one that might get picked.”
The 2023 mid-season draft is set for 7 pm (AEST) on Wednesday.