The Hawks are all of a sudden busy at the trade table, with links to two rival players in high demand beyond 2024.
And in addition, they’ve also offered a contract extension to their own new-found swingman.
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THE BATTLE FOR PERRYMAN AND HARDWICK?
GWS midfielder Harry Perryman is now evidently in high demand, as yet another club has entered the race for his services beyond 2024.
The 25-year-old, whose two-year extension with the Giants expires at the end of this year, now has a fourth club formally chasing his services – with Hawthorn the latest to join the Perryman party.
Channel 9’s Xander McGuire revealed on Thursday night that the Giant has plenty of options to choose from, should be choose to leave his home club the Giants
“Hawthorn has entered the race to sign GWS utility Harry Perryman, who is shaping as one of the most in-demand unrestricted free agent this year,” McGuire reported.
“The Giants, they’ve tabled a five-year deal for Perryman, who is in their leadership group, believed to be worth around $600-650K per season, but rivals including Adelaide and Port Adelaide are willing to up that to six years and pay significantly more.
“Hawthorn, they’ll also have to pay overs to be competitive, but they are very serious about their pursuit – and they have the salary cap space to splash the cash.”
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Perryman has played 117 games across seven and a half seasons so far at Blacktown, and last year played a career-high 22 games in one season – missing four games with a hamstring injury from Round 2 through to 5.
While not known for his goal kicking prowess, in 2020 the Giants played him closer to goal which saw him kick 11 goals for the season.
Traditionally a winger who has somewhat been starved of midfield time, Perryman is yet to record a centre bounce attendance this year, and if interested in more time on-ball, could look towards a club like Hawthorn for greater opportunity.
McGuire also reported the Hawks are interested in St Kilda free agent Josh Battle, who’s contract also expires at years end.
“They also have interest in St Kilda free agent Josh Battle, and have tabled a deal to keep Blake Hardwick at Waverley beyond 2024,” McGuire added.
Similar to Perryman, Battle has played 110 games across the same timeline since 2017, and given the shortage of key backs across the league, will have sparked the interest of several list managers with his skill and contract status.
Hawks defender-turned-forward Hardwick has been on the block for slightly longer than the aforementioned duo, aligning his loyalty to the club for 157 games.
Source Agencies
