The Club can confirm to its members and supporters that the Hawks interest in Ryan O’Keefe was genuine and that preliminary talks between the Club and player were initiated by O’Keefe’s management, Stride Sports Management.
To clarify the events of AFL Trade week, the Club indicated its interest in Ryan O’Keefe at the start of that week. Subsequently a contract offer was presented in writing to O’Keefe’s manager, Tom Petroro.
Hawthorn Chief Executive Ian Robson and Senior Coach Alastair Clarkson met with O’Keefe in Sydney on Wednesday. A final trade offer was made to Sydney the following afternoon.
Hawthorn was informed by O’Keefe’s management on Friday that another AFL club had presented a superior contract offer to O’Keefe and that he would now prefer to continue negotiations with that club.
Robson clarified the Hawks trading intention via the Club’s website today.
“The Hawthorn Football Club conducted itself with professionalism and integrity throughout the 2008 AFL Trade Period,” said Robson.
The Hawthorn Football Club will have selections 16, 34, 50, 66 and 82 in the 2008 AFL National Draft.
