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ANYONE itching to declare Hawthorn's golden era over, should consider Geelong's trade-enhanced rebound this year before writing the ageing Hawks off.
Friday night's humbling semi-final loss to the Western Bulldogs showed the Hawks are tired after eight finals campaigns in the past nine years and – as coach Alastair Clarkson admitted after the game – need a rest.
The Hawks will still have an old list in 2017, having retained star veterans Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne and Josh Gibson for at least one more campaign, but look set for an infusion of experienced fresh blood much like the one that rejuvenated Geelong this year.
TIMELINE: Hawthorn's 1084 days at the top
The Hawks' great rivals of the past decade missed the finals last season for just the second time since 2004. But instead of following the traditional rebuilding path of investing in youth at the draft, the Cats embarked on one of the most aggressive trade period top-ups of recent times.
Geelong secured Patrick Dangerfield, Lachie Henderson and Zac Smith via trades last October, and Scott Selwood via free agency.
The club's bold strategy has taken it to its first preliminary final since 2013 and given it as good a chance as any remaining finalist to win this year's flag.
The Hawks look poised for a similarly aggressive player exchange period this year.
Gold Coast midfielder Jaeger O'Meara has already requested a trade there, and Sydney Swans midfielder Tom Mitchell and Richmond free agent Tyrone Vickery are also expected to follow him to Waverley.
Hawks reach for stars, but at what price?
Hawthorn will have its hands full getting all those deals done and will almost certainly lose Bradley Hill and perhaps another player in the process.
But O'Meara, if he can overcome his chronic right knee problems, and Mitchell would instantly give the Hawks the inside midfield edge they lacked against the Bulldogs, while Vickery could play the forward/ruck rule David Hale performed so well from 2011-15.
This should be enough to help the Hawks stay up at the pointy end of the ladder next year.
And who's to say the Hawks, the self-anointed 'destination' club, can't continue to defy football gravity in subsequent seasons with the type of recruiting that has netted them experienced rival players such as Gibson, Burgoyne, Jack Gunston, James Frawley and Ben McEvoy since their 2008 flag?
Certainly not us.
