HAWTHORN defender Thomas Murphy is considering a move to Gold Coast.
The 26-year-old is an unrestricted free agent by virtue of not being in the top 25 per cent of Hawthorn's pay scale and is expected to decide his future in the next few days.
"We've had some meaningful discussions with the Suns," Murphy's manager, Paul Connors, told AFL.com.au. "Tom is currently overseas but expects to make his mind up over the weekend."
A medium-sized defender, Murphy struggled to break into Hawthorn's side this year and played just four matches during the home and away season. He played in both the qualifying and preliminary finals, but was dropped for the Grand Final to make way for skipper Luke Hodge.
It was the second time Murphy was dropped for the premiership decider. In 2008 he played 18 games for the Hawks, including the qualifying final, but was left out of both the preliminary and Grand Final teams.
In 95 games over eight seasons, Murphy has played on both tall and small forwards and with reasonable success. In 2009, with both Trent Croad and Stephen Gilham injured, he often played on key forwards several centimetres taller and many kilograms heavier.
His medium size has often counted against him though, tending to be the first player left out of the side when the Hawks have all their first-choice defenders at their disposal.
Nevertheless, he is highly-rated at Hawthorn off the field and despite not being a regular member of the side, has been part of the leadership group at the club for the last few years.
His leadership and flexibility would be assets desired by the Suns. He would also help address a glaring deficiency at the Suns with respects to experienced players aged over 25.
The Hawks are yet to offer Murphy a new deal for 2013, having chosen to see what transpires over the remainder of the Gillette Free Agency and Trade periods.
Fellow defender Gilham is also out of contract, however his future at the club is even more shaky following the recruitment on Monday of champion Western Bulldogs defender Brian Lake.
The Hawks have put a revised offer to wingman Clinton Young and are now hopeful he will reject an offer from Collingwood and remain with Hawthorn.
You can follow AFL Media senior writer Ashley Browne on Twitter @afl_hashbrowne
