David King thinks that Hawthorn may need to make some drastic list calls if they don’t get any draft assistance from the AFL.
After their disappointing 109-56 Round 5 loss to Gold Coast, the Hawks are now one of two 0-5 sides to start the 2024 season alongside North Melbourne.
But unlike the Kangaroos - who received three end-of-first-round picks over two years from the AFL - Hawthorn have been made to go about their rebuild the hard way with only their own resources.
While the Hawks themselves chose to rebuild after a sustained period of success, they haven’t finished higher than 13th in the last four seasons and King thinks they may need some extra draft capital if they’re to rise up alongside the Roos who have been given crucial handouts.
If the Hawks don’t push for concessions or aren’t provided any, King foresees a world where they look at trading away a player like star forward Mitch Lewis - who turns 26 this year - given that he may be in his 30s by the time Hawthorn are a quality outfit again.
“Can I give you one that I think that they're going to have to seriously think about? It's an uncomfortable one because we all love the player that he is,” King said on SEN Whateley.
“But do they have to look at trading someone like a Mitch Lewis who is 25-26 years of age because how far away is this next opportunity (to contend for a flag)?
“I hate saying that and I hate that clubs are in this position but if you don't give them concessions, that's the decision that they are left to make.
“We don't want that. You force the club to trade out someone that they love to get high-end draft picks for the next wave.
“I just think it's just a difficult position to be in without any assistance.”
Lewis has averaged more than two goals a game in his last two seasons and has played 69 games for the Hawks since making his debut in 2018.
The key forward is currently sidelined with hamstring and knee injuries/
The Hawks will hope to pick up their first win of the season when they face the Kangaroos on Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.
