“Incredibly highly rated”: Hawks pair seen as future pillars

Hawthorn has high hopes for two players they believe will end up being the key post pillars.

Much has been made about Calsher Dear re-signing with the Hawks with some suggesting it could have a flow-on effect on emerging youngster Aidan Schubert.

Ben King’s impending move to the Hawks from Gold Coast this trade period has thrown up Schubert’s name in trade conversations, but according to one club legend he is a player they want to retain.

Dermott Brereton is hearing that one-game Schubert is the guy the Hawks see as their future key forward even after re-signing Dear.

“I’m glad for Calsher. He’s a talent,” Brereton said on SEN Breakfast.

“But I think he’s always going to be the second string. I don’t think he’s probably going to draw the ball and get to places cleverly enough to control the forward line.

“He’ll be able to jump and take the high mark and learn the game as he goes on through his career.

“The thing with this about Aidan Schubert is you’ve always got to look forward.

“You’ve got your immediate planning for next week, you have your intermediate planning for the next year or two, and then you have long-term planning for about four years.

“I would say in 2030 - Hawthorn love Aidan Schubert - he’s their number one key forward. He’s played one AFL game but they love him.

“He’s a massive kid, he’s got wide set of shoulders on him.

“He won’t be as thick and heavy through the torso as Tom Hawkins, but he’s going to be seriously big. He’s got some agility and he’s got some real power.

“He’s your key forward in four years’ time.”

The comments from Brereton came on Monday morning, before SEN's Tom Morris reported that Schubert will fly to Gold Coast this week with an open mind about potentially playing for the Suns.

Schubert, who debuted against North Melbourne in Round 21, was selected by the Hawks with Pick 23 in the 2025 draft and is contracted until the end of 2028.

At the other end of the ground, Brereton believes Noah Mraz is a key piece for the future.

Key defender Mraz was taken with Pick 35 in the 2024 draft and impressed in four appearances this year.

“Same with Noah Mraz. Can you look at Mraz and say, ‘He ain’t going to be the number one replacement for Tom Barrass?’. You know he is.

“Do not discount the fact that Hawthorn believe Mraz and Schubert in four years’ time are going to be the pillar locks at either end of the ground.

“They are incredibly highly rated.”