Hawthorn is considering a trade plan that would bring in Brisbane forward Ben King while also pursuing Essendon’s Zach Merrett, according to multiple reports. The suggested approach involves Hawthorn being willing to part with some young players as the cost of acquiring King, betting that the potential upside from adding him to its list outweighs the risk of losing developing talent. At the same time, the reports say Hawthorn would prefer to retain its young players rather than trade them away, and it is seeking a structure that achieves both objectives.
All outlets describe the prospect as dependent on cost and timing, with Hawthorn aiming to secure Merrett as well “at the right price.” The overall narrative is that the club is weighing its list-management trade-offs to maximise immediate impact from King and potential midfield strength or balance from Merrett, while managing the risk of weakening its future depth.
The reports do not confirm that negotiations are underway or that deals are imminent; they outline a possible strategy under which Hawthorn could assemble both players if the terms are acceptable.
