Out-of-contract GWS forward Jake Riccardi is attracting interest from Hawthorn, according to SEN’s Tom Morris.
Since being plucked from Werribee in the 2019 Draft, Riccardi has gone on to play 38 games across four seasons in the orange and charcoal, kicking 39 goals.
Having been used in different positions across his time at GWS, Riccardi has recently found some form up forward kicking a career-high five goals in Saturday’s win over Fremantle.
Morris says the cashed-up Hawks are interested in his services as the young tall appears gettable with GWS yet to offer him a contract extension.
“I’m keeping a very close eye on Jake Riccardi at the moment from GWS,” Morris told SEN Breakfast.
“He’s played 38 games in four seasons, he’s 22 years old, he’s out of contract and he kicked a career-best five goals on the weekend against the Fremantle Dockers.
“This morning I can tell you two things, Hawthorn has expressed an interest in him, they are looking for more goalkickers and their salary cap is in a strong position, and GWS is yet to offer him a deal.
“You’ve got an out-of-contract forward who kicked five goals on the weekend, who’s 23 years old, who hasn’t been offered a deal by his current club.
“I think he’s going to be hot property if he remains out of contract at the end of the season.”
Kane Cornes was impressed with Riccardi’s Round 14 performance and he expects several teams to begin eyeing him off if he remains unsigned at GWS.
“Absolutely, I was thinking that when I was watching it (his game against Fremantle),” Cornes said.
“He started his career really well and burst onto the scene then for whatever reason wasn't as impactful.
“But he has come back and you thought, ‘This is a young forward and a lot of teams that would be eyeing him off’.”
Riccardi is averaging 2.75 goals and 5.75 marks across his last four games of football.
It is the best statistical month-long patch of football he has put together since being drafted.