I am a new Canadian fan getting into AFL. I lived in Aus on a working holiday for about a year and after watching a ton of games and highlights last season the Hawks were the team I enjoyed the most. I understand that by watching just this past season its a bit bandwagony to choose the Hawks but the wizard sold me. What do I need to know about the team as I get into the sport.

I think that Sam had a good concept to not have to nominate a ruck all the time and just throw the ball up. It would keep momentum up and make the game faster. I am not sure if it will come in but teams should know well before the season starts to adjust accordingly.

Looks like we did pretty well with upgrades this year Magginess for Merrett, Schubert for King and Ryan for Goater. So the only real player we lost was Butler.

With Picks 29, 37 and 71 (most selections are not taken after the mid 70s) I feel we are still in a good position to pick up some young talent.

As well as Ollie Purcell picked up as another depth backman as a Category B rookie.

And finally with an extra Rookie Spot for an indigenous player would be great to see if we had some scouting options for that. Like Keenan Boi if he doesn’t get picked up in the draft or Sonny Smiler.

I feel like the club has done an amazing job to keep the club improving and put us in a position for some sustained success.

He was recently delisted by Freo, but is a 200cm, 21yo key position backman. Could he be a possible pick up in the preseason draft? I know we have Mraz, but Barrass is getting on, and I don’t feel we have that much depth down back. Thoughts?

Just seeing what people think about teams that could challenge us. I feel the Bulldogs will be up there along with Geelong, Fremantle, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Who is the best Hawks player you have ever seen in your lifetime and why?

Mine is Buddy Franklin. Totally unique, most exciting and could kick goals from anywhere, on the lead, around his body, long bombs at critical moments. The best was the two against Essendon on the run down the wing.

Do you think GC would be open to trading pick 8 in this year draft for Pick 29, Aidan Schubert and Sam Butler? Feels like it would be pretty fair deal three second round picks for a single first round (both Aidan and Sam were pick 23 in their respective drafts).

We traded with Dogs to get GC 3rd round for 27.

Rules state that GC couldn’t trade out their 1st round 27, if they didn’t have their 2nd & 3rd round available.

My guess is we intend to trade them both players and their 3rd round for their first round 2027.

Round 19, 2025.

Major USA sporting competitions allow for conditional trades for future draft picks. These are in the form of a base pick being offered with certain conditions related to the team and/or individual player that would trigger an upgrade.

Is this allowed in the AFL? A quick Google search doesn't specifically show anything covering this.

I'm only asking because it would be nice if, hypothetically, you were a club with a young promising player you were going to trade, and you could ask for, say, a 2028 second-round pick that could be upgraded to a 2028 first-round pick if the player lives up to the hype. All hypothetical of course.