Hawthorn Hawks News

Hawthorn has confirmed that Travis Tuck will continue to train with the club in the hope of securing a rookie list spot for 2011.

Tuck issues a statement saying he accepts responsibility for his actions that led to his 12-week suspension.

"I have been dealing with personal and medical issues for the past 12 months and following some intensive treatment I really felt that I had come a long way," Tuck said.

"Friday night was a big setback for me and I understand the anxiety it has caused my family, friends and the Hawthorn Football Club, and for that I am truly sorry. I know I have to keep working hard to deal with my issues and at times this will not be easy.

"This support and the ongoing structure in my life, along with the motivation to train and return to play will be a big part of my progress and my recovery."

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson says Travis Tuck's drug use would not have been detected if confidentiality was not in place.

"After his first detection, he received medical treatment from his club doctor and other medical professionals, and on his second, he received additional medical support to which he's responded very well prior to this recent lapse," he said on Wednesday.

"That second opportunity is really an important one. If a club was required to know under the policy, this would never have been detected. The treatment Travis has been receiving over the last year has been fundamental to him being in the position he's in today.

"It could easily have been much worse if we had said to the players, 'The only way we can have this policy is to tell the presidents and coaches and CEOs'. There would be no policy and no detection."

The AFL tribunal has suspended Travis Tuck for 12 AFL matches after recording a third strike under the illicit drugs policy.

"The tribunal was satisfied that the player was guilty of engaging in conduct which was unbecoming or likely to prejudice the reputation or interests of the AFL or bring the game of football into disrepute, in breach of the rules," tribunal chairman John Hassett said when the penalty was handed down.

"The whole thrust of the policy is to look to the welfare of the player and it's in accordance with that policy that the tribunal has acted."

Travis Tuck will front the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night after admitting to a breach of the League's illicit drug policy and failing an illicit drugs test for the third time.

"Hawthorn Football Club has just been informed that the AFL has applied a third strike to Travis Tuck under the AFL illicit drug policy," a statement from the Hawks read.

"The club has also been advised that a tribunal hearing will determine his sanction this evening at a closed hearing at the AFL. The club will make further comment to its members at the conclusion of the hearing."

Hawthorn has confirmed that one of its players was taken to hospital after an incident on Saturday morning.

Media have reported that the player is Travis Tuck who was found unconscious in his car in outer surburban Berwick.

"The player was discharged from hospital into the care of his family following an incident in the early hours of Saturday morning," Hawthorn chief executive Stuart Fox said.

"The club and the player's family will continue to support the player to ensure his personal health and welfare is secured. The club has notified the AFL of the incident and will keep them fully informed if any more information comes to light."

Hawthorn's Campbell Brown has confirmed that he has received a contract offer from Gold Coast.

"The club have contacted my management and put an offer forward, but we thought it would be better to just wait until the end of the year," Brown said.

"It's getting very close to finals ... the team and myself don't need any distractions at this time of year."

Hawthorn's Campbell Brown says he will enter the finals series with a clear head despite speculation that he will join the Gold Coast Suns.

"I said a few weeks ago when Hawthorn made an offer that my management and I thought it would be the right decision to put it on hold and wait to make an educated decision at the end of the year," Brown said.

"That's about as far as that's going to go [for now], but in terms of a distraction? Absolutely not."

Robert DiPierdomenico has been reinstated as an Auskick ambassador after learning more about indigenous communities following his gaffe about Gavin Wanganeen's aboriginal heritage.

"Robert has spent much of the past six weeks visiting communities and has gained a greater understanding of the richness, diversity and circumstances of indigenous communities," AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said.

"Robert has told us how much he has learned from the trip and we have had a positive response from the communities to Robert's acknowledgement of his mistake and his desire to engage, share and learn more about indigenous Australia."

Sam Mitchell defends his coach Alastair Clarkson after an attack by Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett following losses to Port Adelaide and Sydney.

"No one puts more into their footy than Clarko and his staff. They're here at the crack of dawn every morning and they don't leave until it's dark," Mitchell said.

"They're working hard and the players are working hard. No one puts more into their footy, we wouldn't think, than our footy club."

Port Adelaide footballer Nick Salter explains his stoush with Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli which resulted in the Hawk forward copping a two-week suspension.

"There was a wrestle going on and I wasn't just going to sit there and watch my mate (Stewart) get held down on the ground, so I went in to help out," Salter said.

"The next thing I know is there's blows being thrown but I didn't feel too much. There wasn't much in it."

Hawks captain Sam Mitchell is critical of the Etihad Stadium surface where many players were seen to slip over during Hawthorn's clash with St Kilda.

"I changed boots at halftime from a cleat to a long-stop and it was no better, I was still slipping over," Mitchell said.

"Some parts of the ground are OK, but other parts, you can hardly stand up. I think there is a patch where it was comical, right on the logo. I slipped over twice and Cyril (Rioli) did as well and I have never seen him slip over in my life. I hope we don't play a final there."

Boss of the Geelong Falcons Michael Turner reveals that he had some stern words with a then 17-year old Luke Hodge who he feared would not make the most of his talents.

"Luke took a fair bit of management back then and he would be the first to admit that," Turner said.

"But he had to smarten up and make some sacrifices socially. I said to them 'If you don't end up winning a premiership, All Australian selection and a Brownlow Medal, you won't have reached your full potential'."

Hawthorn vice captain Luke Hodge says he works well with Sam Mitchell and is bemused by speculation he should take over the captaincy.

"We're not too worried about what people on the outside say. We know how we work best as a group," Hodge said.

"I'm just rapt to be the vice-captain to Sammy. If anything changed in the future well every player would love to be the captain of their club, but I'm fully in support of Sammy who is doing a fantastic job."

Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell will undergo surgery and miss this week's crucial clash against Geelong with a broken hand.

"We had decided that inserting a plate was the best option as he would have missed this week's match anyway due to the fracture," Hawks football manager Mark Evans said.

"The plate will give him maximum strength around the fracture site and he is likely to only miss one to two weeks, depending on how it settles down."

Hawthorn's mature-age debutant Ben Stratton has cemented a place in the Hawks' back half and earns a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in the process after an impressive 19-possession game against the Bulldogs in round 14.

"I'm definitely getting more confidence. I got thrown down the challenge pretty early in the week and set my sights on Goodes. I don't mind getting a challenge each week. Every game I play, I'm getting more confident," Stratton said.

Beau Muston's three goals as a defensive forward against Essendon could signal a new role for the talented Hawk after an injury-plagued start to his career during his earlier years.

"The last couple of weeks I've felt like I've done a pretty good job but I think it comes down to the coaches showing a lot of belief in me and giving me a big job. I'm happy to take it on," Muston said.

"The body's really good. I haven't had any troubles so fingers crossed and I'll try to get as many games as I can."

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says Cyril Rioli still does not fully understand what he is capable of yet.

"He's such a humble kid, he could really cause some pain for an opposition down the track," Clarkson said.

"He doesn't realise he can tear a game apart,"

Hawthorn assistant coach Adam Simpson says he doesn't know what else Lance Franklin can do to avoid suspension, but hopes to find ways.

"It's frustrating because he's not in the side and he doesn't get that consistency and that flow that he needs," Simpson said.

"It's important that we recognise what he's doing wrong and try to change it, but it is difficult at the moment."

Hawthorn recruit Shaun Burgoyne says he had mixed emotions coming up against his old side for the first time after Hawks defeated Port Adelaide at the MCG.

"I had some mixed emotions before the game," Burgoyne said.

"I had some wonderful years there and I am starting out my career here. It felt like I was playing with my brothers against my brothers.

"It was weird for me. The (Hawthorn) boys were fantastic during the game and during the week, giving me confidence, and backing me up. I was just trying to play my role."

Port Adelaide midfielder Kane Cornes says his side won't single out ex-teammate Shaun Burgoyne for extra attention this weekend when the Power take on the Hawks.

"We've got a lot of respect for Shaun with what he's done for this footy club and what a great player he was. On the weekend he'll just be part of a midfield for Hawthorn that's probably up there with the best midfields in the comp and he really compliments them," Cornes said.

"We'll put some time into preparing for their midfield and Shaun's one of those players that we'll need to spend a little bit of time on."

Hawthorn defender Ben Stratton says he was glad he was given the job on Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes when the Hawks played the Swans.

"I'm definitely getting more confidence. I got thrown down the challenge pretty early in the week and set my sights on Goodes. I don't mind getting a challenge each week. Every game I play I'm getting more confident," he said.

Hawthorn's Campbell Brown is set to miss at least four weeks with a PCL injury.

Sam Mitchell says he understands why outsiders think Luke Hodge should be captain, admitting he sometimes feels that way too.

"I'm sure there are players in our group that think that 'Hodgey' should be captain," Mitchell said.

"Sometimes I think that too because it's just the way he is; he's such a fantastic leader and he does some exceptional things."

Star Hawks recruit Shaun Burgoyne says he is relieved to play first match for his new side after an injury-interrupted 2010 .

"I was pretty happy to come in and play my role," he said.

"Obviously at the end I was spent, but I think everyone out there was as well. My fitness will pick up in the next few weeks, and my game time will get better."

Hawthorn ruckman Brent Renouf has signed a contract that will tie him to the Hawks until the end of 2012.

"There is continuous media speculation about the Gold Coast and Western Sydney, so it's certainly pleasing that Brent, along with Sam Mitchell, Jarryd Roughead and Lance Franklin, are all looking to the long-term future of the club," Hawks general manager football operations Mark Evans said.

Hawthorn defender Josh Gibson is expected to return from a hamstring injury sooner than expected.

"He's doing some running and has progressed into doing some striding so it's coming along well," Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said.

"Right at the start Josh had pretty good strength and I reckon the next three weeks will give us a greater indication of where he's at."

Shaun Burgoyne will make his long-awaited debut for his new club against Richmond at the MCG in round 8 after a string of injuries has kept him out of the Hawthorn side.

"We think he'll play," Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said.

"I'm sure it's pretty frustrating to change clubs knowing you're in rehab for a knee. Then he had a minor tweak in the NAB Cup and had a hiccup in the VFL. So I'm sure he's looking forward to getting out there with the boys."

Hawthorn vice-captain Luke Hodge has defended his teammates' hand-shaking with their Essendon opponents after club legend Dermott Brereton questioned their jovial attitude following a loss.

"Once the game finishes, I'm never going to be a sore loser," Hodge said.

"If I see a bloke (an opposition player) there, I'm going to go shake his hand and say, 'Good luck for the rest of the year'.

"As far as blokes smiling, I probably don't agree with that, but as far as shaking the hand and saying, 'Well done, mate, [you were] too good on the night', I've got no problems."

Trent Croad is back in training with the A-grade amateur club representing his old school, De La Salle College.

I'm moving quite well, believe it or not. I'm scary fit, haven't missed a beat," he said.

"My old school has opened their arms up to me. I'm having such fun; it's like going back to school with all my old mates. I just rang (De La Salle coach) David Madigan and said 'G'day, it's Trent here, would you mind if I popped down to training?'"

Hawthorn has received an official warning for Brent Renouf's late withdrawal from their game against North Melbourne in Launceston.

"While the AFL found that Hawthorn did not act for tactical reasons, Renouf's replacement was not in compliance with guidelines issued by the AFL," the league said in a statement.

Hawthorn await a decision from the AFL on whether they will be fined for Brent Renouf's last-minute withdrawal from their game against North Melbourne.

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott had expressed his displeasure at the late withdrawal saying that it had thrown his match-planning into disarray.

"When Luke Hodge is playing in the ruck, that changes things significantly," Scott said.

"He's a dangerous player at the best of times. When there's such a significant change and he's playing on a really big guy and someone who's not as mobile, it changes things."

Brent Renouf is a late withdrawal from the Hawks' side to face the Kangaroos leaving Hawthorn shorthanded in the ruck department.

"We tried to warm him up and just see what he'd be like because we were reasonably surprised how well he was at lunchtime today," Clarkson said.

"But once he got out there and did the warm-up he was no good, which sort of put us in a pickle. We haven't got too many rucks as it is and the one we have got wasn't able to get himself up to play."

Hawk recruit Shaun Burgoyne suffers another setback in his attempt to return to AFL ranks after fracturing his jaw in the VFL during a clash of heads with Geelong's Max Rooke.

The injury is expected to keep Burgoyne out for six weeks.

Clinton Young makes his long-awaited return to the Hawthorn side, playing for the Hawks in a loss against the Magpies.

"I would've liked to have played a little better but I got through the game well," Young said.

"There were a few nerves before the game, it's been a while since I played in front of a big crowd and I'm still a bit behind on fitness but I'm catching up.

A survey of coaches says Nic Naitanui can become the competition's premier player, ahead of Michael Hurley and Cyril Rioli.

Hawthorn midfielder Jordan Lewis is guranteed to play against Collingwood on Saturday despite a heavy hit last week which led to concussion.

"While he got hit in the head, he got hit in the body pretty hard too," Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said.

"It's had the affect right through his body. He's been a little sore and sorry throughout the week but he'll be OK to play."

Despite recent starring turns for the Hawks, Cyril Rioli says he is still feeling the groin injury, similar to osteitis pubix (OP), that interrupted his pre-season.

"It was something along the lines of that (OP)," he said.

"The only solid hit-out I will get is the games now. The week's pretty light for me. I'm getting a lot of physio and extra rubs. Recovery during the week and a big hit-out during the game."

Hawthorn defender Josh Gibson will miss up to 12 weeks after surgery to a severely injured hamstring.

"Josh has a high-grade hamstring tendon injury," Hawks general manager football operations Mark Evans said.

"After consultation last night and this morning with our club medical staff and surgeon it was determined that a surgical procedure will deliver a better outcome than non-surgical options. Josh will have surgery later this evening."

Boom hawk recruit Shaun Burgoyne looks set to play football this weekend and it is possible he will make his debut for Hawthorn in this weekend's clash with Collingwood.

"I'm sure he wanted to come out and prove himself. It has been hard for him sitting out the first three or four games," Hawk Campbell Brown said of his new teammate.

"He is a great guy and went straight into our leadership group which says a bit about the calibre of what he's produced at the club. It will be pretty good to have him running around for us."

Former hitman Brent Guerra says he supports phasing out the bump from football despite once being a regular user of the bump early in his career.

"I had to change that because otherwise I was going to keep missing weeks," Guerra said.

"You can't do that anymore and that is the way the game's going.

"There have been a few players who'd have to have changed their game over the last couple of years and I'm one of them but I've got no problems with it. I haven't been cited for a few years which is for the best."

Hawthorn's gamble to appeal the suspension of Liam Shiels, charged with striking Cameron Ling, fails, with the midfielder banned for two games.

Geelong's Cameron Mooney will also miss a match after being charged with rough conduct during the same match.

Hawthorn recruit Rhan Hooper injures his hamstring in his first outing for the Hawks against Geelong.

"Hooper did his hamstring in the first two minutes of the game, so that was a bit of a downer for us, because he was outstanding last week," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett is unimpressed with recruit Josh Gibson who was out partying until 6:30am on Monday.

Gibson escaped suspension but was imposed with a fine from the Hawks' leadership group.

"He won't be getting a Christmas card from me at the moment, I tell you. I've heard about Josh and I had discussions with the club," Kennett said.

"We have a code of conduct which has been developed by the players, the coaches, in conjunction with the board, and it is a very good code.

"That matter has been dealt with internally by the club today and that's where it ends."

Carl Peterson's AFL debut as a Hawk which included 17 possessions and a running goal impresses coach Alastair Clarkson.

"He just took to it as if he'd been playing senior footy for a long period of time, so that's really exciting for us," Clarkson said.

"We've unearthed a guy who could play a lot of footy for us, we believe."

The fitness of Hawk Shaun Burgoyne, who was recruited from the Power and is out with an injured hamstring, remains an ongoing concern for Hawthorn and coach Alastair Clarkson.

"We'd managed him pretty conservatively over the summer, but the bottom line is he's done very little conditioning work on his body at a real intense level for the best part of 12 months," Clarkson said.

"He came back and sustained a slight hamstring injury, so maybe it's a signal to us that we need to pull him back a little bit and give him a mini pre-season in a sense."

Second-year Port Adelaide captain Dom Cassisi says he is more comfortable in the role after a tough start last season.

"After the first four or five rounds [last year], I was able to find a better balance between the captaincy stuff and being able to perform still," he said.

"I got off to a slow start, but sitting down with 'Choco' and getting back to the basics, I was able to get some momentum from there. Last year was a challenging year, but I'm more equipped for this year."

Cassisi also says that his relationship with coach Mark Williams is fine despite Williams initially nominating teammate Shaun Burgoyne to be appointed captain of the club.

"I understand why he said what he did, because Shaun and Chad [Cornes] were our vice-captains at the time," Cassisi said.

"Anyone would've thought they were the next two guys to take the rein, but I went through the process and I was fortunate enough to get the job, so it was as black and white as that.

"'Choco' was supportive of me right from the start, so we've moved on from there and we're working well together and looking forward to getting a good result."

Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell says the club will be 'careful' with recovery of mercurial forward Cyril Rioli from osteitis pubis.

"He's got some groin pain and a little bit of stuff around his pelvis that's causing trouble," Mitchell said.

"He just had such a fantastic preparation and was training so well for such a long time that he overdid it a little bit."

"Anything to do with your groin or your pelvis region is something you have to manage carefully, and the club is all over it at the moment."

Hawthorn's ruck stocks continue to diminish after Wayde Skipper is ruled out for 6-8 weeks with a hamstring injury.

"The first one we thought was just hamstring scarring and the second time he complained of having an unstable knee so we didn't play him after that," Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said.

"But when we took him for scans the damage was to the hamstring tendon."

Former Western Bulldogs ruckman Wayde Skipper is in line for elevation after Hawk Simon Taylor was placed on the long-term injury list.

A fractured fibula may see Simon Taylor miss up to four months.

"Simon underwent surgery this morning to have a plate inserted to repair a fractured fibula," Hawthorn's general manager of football operations Mark Evans said said.

"Doctors have advised it will be two months until Simon can resume activity and it will be around four months until he will be available to play again."

Simon Taylor and Brad Sewell were casualties of a 40-point thumping by North Melbourne on Saturday.

Taylor hurt his ankle after falling awkwardly in a collision while Sewell has a suspected collarbone injury and was seen after the game with his right arm in a sling.

Defender Daniel Pratt says former teammate Josh Gibson will not come in for any special attention when the Kangaroos and Hawks meet in a NAB Challenge match.

"People leave footy clubs. People come and go. He's gone. We're not really worried about it anymore," Pratt said.

"Everyone's moved on, he's moved on and we're happy with what we're doing now."

High-profile Hawk recruit Shaun Burgoyne looks set to miss the start of the season after tearing his hamstring at training.

"The original plan was to play Shaun in round four of the pre-season program but now that won't obviously happen," General manager of football operations Mark Evans said in a statement.

"The club does not expect it to be a lengthy delay though. Shaun will now look to the early rounds of the home and away season to run out for the Hawks."

Former AFL ruckman Chris Bryan will arrive in Los Angeles to try out for a punting career in the NFL.

Bryan turned down a potential opportunity to join Hawthorn to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL.

"It was pretty tough at the time to say no, but since that day I have been training all the time for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I haven't regretted it one little bit," Bryan said.

"We've got four clubs lined up."

Jarryd Roughead may face his cousin Jordan Roughead in round 2 of the 2010 NAB Cup against the Bulldogs.

"I've never played against him in any sport, so it should be a bit of fun. And good for Dad and uncle as well," Jarryd said.

"He's a Ballarat boy. It's only NAB Cup (round) two, if it happens in Round 3 I might claim a bit of bragging rights."

Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell says Shaun Burgoyne should be ready for Hawthorn's opening home and away match in 2010.

"Shaun has had a long rehab program after surgery. Our aim is to get him up and going for round one so whether he plays a half or a quarter or a full game or two full games before round one we're not sure," Mitchell said.

"If everything goes to plan he should be out there round one. What sort of role and nick he's in is probably too early to tell and he has to continue to go through his program."

Hawthorn premiership player Rick Ladson will start his AFL comeback in the 2010 NAB Cup opener against Richmond since being heavily restricted by knee surgeries last year.

Hawk Jordan Lewis says he hasn't sacrificed his strength or toughness despite shedding seven kilograms over summer.

"I've maintained my strength by losing the weight, but I think it's mainly endurance and being able to run out the games would probably be the biggest difference," Lewis said.

"Obviously being a little bit lighter you can perform more consistently on the track. I didn't go out at the start of pre-season to lose this much but it just so happens that I did."

Luckless Hawthorn ruckman Max Bailey says he is on a fast track to recovery after a knee reconstruction.

"This time I'll come back quicker," Bailey said.

"It's been a really good recovery. Last time there was a lot of cartilage damage and it was always swollen. This time it's not a problem."

Hawthorn's Lance Franklin remains unsigned for 2011 and could be a potential target for the new Gold Coast team but says he is keen to stay at the Hawks.

"I'm up this year and I'll leave that up to my manager to sort that out," Franklin said.

"But obviously I'm keen to sign with the Hawks. They've been good to me since I've been here and it's a great club. It's more the media that talks it up than the players. I'll just concentrate on football."

Luke Hodge says he has been earmarked for more of a midfield/forward role in 2010 after making a name for himself as a defensive sweeper in Hawthorn's 2009 premiership year.

"Maybe through the midfield and forward. At this stage, I've been training a lot more in the midfield," Hodge said of his likely role.

"I'll probably start that way in the NAB Cup, I would say."

Hawthorn midfielder Jordan Lewis has shed 7kg during this pre-season, leaving at his lightest since he was a teenager.

"I'm weighing in at about 86kg. Last year, I was playing at about 93, so it's a pretty big change," Lewis said.

"I think for a midfielder these days, you've got to be 85 or 86. You need strength, but you also need endurance."

Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell says no one is expecting Ryan Schoenmakers to immediately fill the hole left by Trent Croad's retirement.

"It's pretty exciting when you've got a guy who's six-foot-four or five who can run like he does and is as strong as he [is]," Mitchell said about Schoenmakers.

"It's just whether or not he can adapt to the speed of our game plan and the way the AFL moves. It was a great experience for him last year but with another pre-season under his belt where he's been injury-free, I think it's a pretty exciting year for guys who are around his age."

Hawthorn ruckman Brent Renouf has had a setback in his recovery from burns suffered in a New Year's Eve beach accident.

"Part of the graft wasn't healing as well as they would have liked so they decided that it was best to fix it straight away and re-graft that part. The original burn was about the size of the palm of your hand," Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said.

Hawthorn ruckman Brent Renouf has undergone a skin graft after being burned in an accident on a Gold Coast beach.

According to a statement by Hawthorn, Renouf was standing with his back to a beach fire when he was accidentally knocked into it by a group of young men who began wrestling.

Trent Croad announces his retirement after struggling with a foot injury that has troubled him for over a year.

Croad, however, says being part of the 2008 Hawthorn premiership-winning side made it all worthwhile.

"One hundred per cent, definitely - my last moment in football was grand final day, what a wonderful thing," Croad said.

"You can't plan that sort of thing; you can only dream of it. I said to the boys earlier, and Clarko reiterated it, that what broke me on the day will hopefully make me later on in life."

Trent Croad was a notable absentee from Hawhtorn's pre-Christmas training, suggesting the key backman is still some way from getting back to footy.

Hawk Trent Croad's future is in jeapordy after scans reveal that his injured foot has not improved as hoped despite undergoing an operation to fuse several bones.

"It's certainly not positive news, but we expected it was going to be slow healing and the scans would show it is going to be slow healing," Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said.

"It was a serious injury from the start. The operation itself is a big thing to go through and there are a lot of things he is going to have to contemplate along the road of his rehabilitation. None of it is going to go quickly for him."

Shaun Burgoyne will wear retired Hawk champion Shane Crawford's No. 9 jumper when he plays for Hawthorn in 2010.

Josh Gibson says he did not actively seek a trade to the Hawks but jumped at the opportunity when approached by Hawthorn.

"I honestly didn't have any intentions of leaving North Melbourne. I was out of contract and wasn't shopping myself around or anything like that," Gibson wrote in an article for AFL.com.au.

"The Hawks approached me at the end of the season with an opportunity and I felt that with what they presented to me, I could really help the club on their journey back to the finals. I thought they were going to help get the best out of me and that is how the decision was made."

Hawthorn has taken former Bulldog Wayde Skipper with its first pick in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft to potentially ruck in place of Max Bailey who is out for most of the season.

"There is no urgency to make a decision like that. There has been no indication given to Wayde about that at the moment. With Max we have got the flexibility to add him to our long term injury list but at this stage we haven't done that," Hawthorn general manager of player personnel and strategy Chris Pelchen said.

New Bulldog Lukas Markovic hopes a move to defence and an injury-free run will allow him to finally have an impact at AFL level after spending three seasons on Hawthorn's rookie list.

"At the end of the year, I started speaking to the recruiters a little bit here and I just know in this industry, there are no guarantees at all," he said from Whitten Oval on Monday.

"I was certainly still having the mindset I'd be playing VFL next year and if I got picked up, it would be a bonus. As it turned out, it's worked out that way and I'm absolutely rapt."

Rhan Hooper says he wants to leave his frustrations from his time at the Brisbane Lions behind him after being recruited by the Hawks in the 2009 national draft.

"That's all in the past now. I just want to move forward and hopefully get into the finals this year," Hooper said of this time in Brisbane.

"Right up to the end I wasn't quite sure who I was going to go to, but Hawthorn is a strong club and I look forward to playing a couple of senior games this year if I can force my way through."

Former Port Adelaide and Hawthorn premiership player Stuart Dew has joined the Swans as an assistant coach.

"We are extremely pleased to add a person of Stuart's character and extraordinary playing background to our coaching team," coach Paul Roos said.

"Coming from two excellent clubs in Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, and having won premierships with both, he will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge that he will be able to pass onto our players."

Former first-round draft pick Mitch Thorp's manager Liam Pickering believes the forward will get a chance at another club after being delisted by the Hawks.

''A 20-year-old key position forward and he didn't go at pick six for no reason ... he's a talented player and he will get an opportunity, I'm convinced of that,'' Pickering said.

New Swan Ben McGlynn says he is looking forward to joining the club's young guns.

"You don't really want to leave the club that gives you a start in the AFL, but opportunity-wise, Sydney offered a great opportunity to play regular senior footy and the security with a three-year deal," he said.

"Having the opportunity to play was the main factor. With [Mark] Seaby and [Shane] Mumford coming on, and 'Joey' [Josh] Kennedy as well coming on board, they'll be good additions to the Sydney Swans."

Hawthorn has delisted Mitch Thorp and rookies Haydn Kiel and Tim Walsh.

"Unfortunately, Mitch has been limited by injury in the first three years and as a consequence, has had little opportunity to play senior footy at Hawthorn," recruiter Chris Pelchen said.

"Mitch requested to be considered for a trade, but unfortunately this was not able to be achieved during trade week."

"After further consultation with Mitch and his management, we felt it was best for Mitch's interests to seek a fresh start at another club."

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says there will be no lack of trying to have key defender Trent Croad recover from a broken foot before next season.

"There will be no lack of trying on his behalf or our club's to try and get him right. If we do, we consider it a significant bonus but we've got our fingers crossed he will get through this recovery period reasonably healthy," Clarkson said.

Midfielder Jordan Lewis has spoken of his relief at remaining a Hawk after being linked to trade discussions involving Port Adelaide's Shaun Burgoyne.

"Obviously you're aware, a few mates text you, but I try and go away in trade week because you just never know if your name gets brought up," Lewis said.

"When it first came out, Mark Evans rang me and said there's no truth to it so just don't worry about it. And, fortunately, enough I stayed a Hawk."

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says his relationship with Campbell Brown has not soured over rumours he was trade bait.

"He was an unfortunate by-product of the whole kerfuffle around trade week," Clarkson said.

"When a player doesn't want to go and the coaching staff doesn't want him to go then I reckon you are running into disaster if you push players out of your footy club. Browny never wanted to leave and we never wanted him to leave."

Hawthorn defender Trent Croad says he is healthy again and hopes to rebuild his career in 2010.

"I'm pain-free and good to go," Croad said.

"I've just got to make a decision. It was a pretty bad injury so it's just a matter of time."

Hawk midfielder Clinton Young's future is in doubt due to a hip injury.

"It depends on the extent of the damage and the key to it is how much damage there is to the lining of the joint," Dr Peter Brukner said.

"Some are chronic injuries because if the cartilage of the joint is damaged, then you're going to have ongoing problems and we don't have a way of curing that."

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says Campbell Brown was never offered to Port Adelaide in the trade for Shaun Burgoyne despite claims by the Power to the contrary.

"Sending out players of that quality - it affects the culture of your club too much and we weren't going to do that with five quality players in our footy club, who are just so important to our culture," Clarkson said.

"Campbell Brown is certainly one of those and you saw the reaction of our supporters and everyone involved in the football industry when Campbell was being [talked about] as part of the trade, because Port was really interested in getting him to their club, and fair enough too."

Essendon coach Matthew Knights says the club is extremely happy to secure Mark Williams from Hawthorn.

"We wanted an x-factor forward who could fill a number of roles and Mark Williams is just that player. He kicked three goals in the 2008 grand final and five goals in the preliminary final so he can deliver on the big stage," Knights said.

"He is a great kick at goal and has recovered from the knee injury that hampered him this year. He will be a very exciting addition to our forward line and, importantly, he was very keen to come to Windy Hill."

Hawthorn midfielders Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn have been traded to the Sydney Swans for draft selections 39, 46 and 70.

"While we are disappointed to be losing both Josh and Ben to the Sydney Swans we understand that both players have been presented with opportunities that they see as attractive and wish them well for the future," Hawthorn general manager of player personnel and strategy Chris Pelchen said.

Port Adelaide onballer Shaun Burgoyne will join Hawthorn next season as part of a four-club trade.

The deal will also sees Hawk forward Mark Williams sign a three-year deal with Essendon while Bomber Jay Nash moves to Port Adelaide.

Port Adelaide also receive two first-round draft picks: No.9 (from Hawthorn) and 16 (from Essendon, on-traded by Hawthorn).

Geelong, the fourth club involved in the trade, will swap draft pick 33 in exchange for three additional picks. The Cats took draft selections 40 and 56 from Port Adelaide, and 42 from Essendon.

Port Adelaide football operations manager Peter Rohde says Hawthorn hadn't put Campbell Brown on its untouchable list for a Shaun Burgoyne deal and was thus approached by them.

Speculation that Brown had been offered for trade sparked a furore among Hawks supporters leading Hawthorn president to declare on SEN radio that Campbell had not, at any stage, been offered for trade.

"There were a group of players that were untouchable and if you look at Hawthorn's list you can figure out the most obvious ones. Other than that they were prepared to trade anyone off their list," Rohde said.

"We probably had a preference for a couple of players that were on Hawthorn's untouchable list, but it got to the start of this week and they made it pretty clear they weren't willing to trade a couple of players we were chasing. So we turned our attention to Campbell Brown and made contact with him."

Port Adelaide was interested in Campbell Brown as part of a deal for Shaun Burgoyne, but its approach has been denied after a lack of interest by Brown in moving to Alberton.

"Port Adelaide raised their interest in the versatile defender with Brown's management at Elite Sports Properties," a statement by Hawthorn read.

"However, Brown expressed his desire to stay at Hawthorn and he re-affirmed his commitment to the club in talks with club officials today."

Hawthorn's president says reports that the club has offered Campbell Brown as part of a trade deal for Port Adelaide's Shaun Burgoyne are not true.

"The story is wrong, wrong, wrong," Kennett said.

"Young Campbell is going nowhere - his future is with Hawthorn. His name wasn't offered up, so let's just get that absolutely factually clear."

Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell won the Peter Crimmins Medal as Hawthorn's best and fairest for season 2009 ahead of runner-up Cyril Rioli.

Hawthorn ruckman Robbie Campbell announces his retirement at the club's best and fairest dinner.

"You're told from the start of your career that footy is a ruthless business, and you are never under any illusion," Campbell said.

"Since 2005 I knew that I have had a degenerative knee condition, and I had thought at that time my career might be cut short, then and there.

"I will be eternally grateful for the faith Clarko and his coaching group showed in me - to allow me to continue playing footy - and ultimately play in a premiership team."

Adelaide's Brett Burton has won the 2009 Hungry Jack's Mark of the Year while Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli has won the AFL Stores Goal of the Year.

"Without a doubt, it's the best mark I've ever taken. It's certainly the biggest mark I've ever taken. When I was up there, I thought, 'whoa!' It did feel good," Burton said of his mark.

"I would also like to thank my teammate Chance Bateman for giving me the handball to have the opportunity to kick the goal," Rioli said of his goal.

Hawthorn defender Trent Croad is on the verge of signing a new one-year deal and is looking forward to playing again next year in 2010 after missing out on the entire 2009 season with a serious foot injury.

"Everything's good and underway there, so over the next few weeks everything will be sorted," he said.

"The surgery was good and everything is coming together nicely," Croad said.

AFL superstar Lance Franklin is reported to have been involved in an apparent brawl at a Perth nightspot.

"I was on the way to the toilet when an altercation broke out and I copped one in the face," Franklin said in a statement.

"I'm fine, no real injury, it's just a bit disappointing to have that happen when you're out just trying to enjoy some time off with family and friends."

Jinxed Hawthorn ruckman Max Bailey has vowed to return from a third devastating knee reconstruction and play on next season.

"He is amazing to go through everything that he has been through and still have such a great attitude," Bailey's manager Shane Casley said.

"Mentally, he is in surprisingly good shape, he is really upbeat and really determined to play again.

"The good thing is, having done it all twice before, he knows exactly what he is facing and what he has to do to get back."

Hawthorn vice-captain Luke Hodge has signed a three-year extension to his contract with the Hawks.

"It's good to be committed to the club for the next three years, it's an exciting time and I wouldn't miss it for anything," he said.

Hawthorn forward Tim Boyle has announced his retirement from AFL football.

"Tim can be satisfied he has given his all during his time at Hawthorn and has maintained a positive outlook," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

"It's been tough for him to get out there and be a regular contributor to the team; however when he was fit, particularly in season 2007, he showed he was a very important member of our side.

"He has prepared himself well for life after footy and we wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his life."

A security guard assigned to the boundary line reveals what Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said to Bomber captain Matthew Lloyd after the Hawks' loss to Essendon.

Clarkson is heard to have said, "You had better f**king retire you f**king weak c***."

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson has been given a suspended $5000 fine by the AFL after verbally abusing Matthew Lloyd following Hawthorn's loss to Essendon.

"The AFL is concerned about the potential for such situations to escalate on the ground and also the need for AFL coaches to set a positive example for coaches at all levels," AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said.

Clarkson said he was sorry for his actions.

"I apologise for my actions after Saturday's match and any embarrassment caused to the AFL," Clarkson said.

"I believe senior coaches should model appropriate behaviour and I fully intend to set a positive example for coaches and others involved across all levels of football."

Hawks ruckman Brent Renouf has apologised after avoiding conviction for a booze-fuelled vandalism spree last year.

"I apologised on the night and I apologise here again today. I hope to move on with my life," Renouf said outside court.