RUCKMAN-turned-defender Ben McEvoy secretly committed last year to Hawthorn until the end of the 2021 season.
McEvoy's agent, Adam Ramanauskas, of TLA Australia, confirmed on RSN radio on Friday morning that they fast-tracked a 'trigger' in the 200cm big man's contract for next year.
"He had a trigger for 2021, which was related to how many games he played in 2020," Ramanauskas said.
"Myself and Hawthorn pushed for that to get through, through the Trade Period last year – and Hawthorn were happy enough to do that.
"It was more of a trigger that he had for 2021 rather than an extension, as such."
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McEvoy's switch into defence for the last two rounds of last year raised eyebrows but the move wasn't enough to convince former back-up Marc Pittonet to knock back Carlton's interest.
The Hawks offered Pittonet just a one-year deal after the 2018 season, and he was in the club's last batch of re-signings.
Hawthorn elected to re-sign another of its ruckmen, Jon Ceglar, for the next three seasons after Brisbane went close to luring him north last year.
The Hawks' ruck stocks remain a point of interest, with Ceglar now the No.1, McEvoy set to play down back again on Friday night, and untried giant Ned Reeves the only other recognised ruckman.
AFL.com.au reported on Thursday night Hawthorn was honing in on ex-Eagle and Sun Keegan Brooksby, who underwent medical testing at Waverley Park on Thursday, to bolster its ruck depth.
Alastair Clarkson's team completes its Marsh Community Series campaign against Melbourne in Launceston on Friday night.
