HAWTHORN is looking to bolster its draft hand by trying to attain another first-round pick – but there's a snag.
AFL.com.au understands the Hawks are prepared to trade their future first-round pick for 2020 in a deal to land a second first-round pick for this year.
The club already holds pick 11 – which is its earliest selection at the draft since 2006 – but is believed to be on the lookout to double-up at the top end.
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However, it faces a battle to land the selection because, under AFL rules, to trade out a future first-round selection it must retain its other picks in that draft.
The Hawks traded their 2020 second-round selection during the exchange period, so would need to replace that to be allowed to move their future first-round pick.
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The intention to find another first-round pick nonetheless signals that the Hawks don't forecast a bid on father-son Finn Maginness to come until, at the earliest, late in the first round and potentially early in the second round next week.
Maginness, a midfielder who shone at the recent NAB AFL Draft Combine, isn't among the 16 players invited to attend the opening night of the draft.
Rivals believe a bid may not come until early in the second round for the 18-year-old, with which Hawthorn would be able to match the bid with its next selection/s (it also holds No.30, 42 and 54).
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The cut-off for pick swaps ahead of next week's draft is this Friday, although clubs will then be able to trade during the event on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Port Adelaide and Brisbane exchanged picks in a deal confirmed on Monday, with the Power attaining the Lions' pick 16 this year but swapping out their future first round pick, among a swag of picks that changed hands.
Other clubs have struggled to find buyers for future first-round picks for the 2020 draft. There are differing views among clubs on the strength of next year's pool, which is also dominated by Academy and father-son players.
The Hawks also have access to promising Next Generation Academy prospect Connor Downie next year.
Downie, who played for the Eastern Ranges this season, is a midfielder who also can switch off half-back.
Hawthorn has been linked to one of versatile tall Fischer McAsey or classy runner Dylan Stephens with its first selection, while they have also shown interest in injured utility Brodie Kemp.
