HAWTHORN has reached an agreement to secure ball magnet Tom Mitchell from the Sydney Swans in a looming trade involving the Hawks' first-round draft pick.
As Hawks supporters reel from the shock revelation that club great Sam Mitchell could join West Coast, his namesake Tom will be sent to Hawthorn for pick No.14 and an exchange of later picks.
The in-principle trade agreement, which will be confirmed next week, will see the Swans flip late draft picks with the Hawks.
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"We are excited to have an in principle deal done with the Sydney Swans for Tom Mitchell to join the Hawks for the 2017 season and beyond," Hawks recruiting and list manager Graham Wright said.
"Tom has had a fantastic season for the Swans, particularly in the second half of the year.
"He's a high-quality person and at only 23 years of age has plenty of football ahead of him.
"Tom has the flexibility to play multiple positions but we believe he'll primarily play as an inside midfielder.
"We'd also like to thank the Sydney Swans for their professional approach to getting this deal done"
Mitchell, who starred in the Grand Final loss with 26 touches and two goals, will add some inside grunt to a remodelled Hawks engine room.
The 23-year-old thrived in the Swans' powerful onball division this season, averaging 28 possessions – 12 contested – and six tackles.
Once Mitchell put contract talks on hold in June, the Hawks swooped with what is understood to be a lucrative long-term contract.
With that deal all but done, the Hawks can now set their sights on satisfying Gold Coast's demands for wantaway star Jaeger O'Meara.
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Hawthorn has already signed up Richmond free agent Ty Vickery on a two-year deal, filling a desperate need for a tall forward-ruck after Jonathon Ceglar ruptured his ACL in round 22.
Mitchell played 65 games and booted 38 goals for the Swans after being taken as a father-son selection in the 2011 draft, at pick 21 overall.
The Swans will hold picks 14, 17, 38 and 56 in the upcoming draft once the Mitchell swap goes through.
