The Golden Years Podcast team are back with a new trade-themed episode, and they're joined by none other than three-time premiership Hawk David Hale.

Hale is making a return to the brown and gold in 2022 as an assistant coach following his departure as a player six years ago.

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His original pathway to the club was via a trade from North Melbourne and Hale chats to the Golden Years crew about how it all happened.

Since his retirement after the Hawks 2015 Grand Final win, Hale has spent the past six seasons at Fremantle as an assistant coach.

Speaking on the podcast, Hale said he was thrilled to return to the brown and gold.

"It will be good to get back at a club that I've had success at, with people that I know," Hale said.

"It's exciting - Hawthorn are in a similar position that Freo found themselves in the last few years in term of stocking up with younger guys.

"Hopefully we can get enough games into those guys that we start getting consistent output.

"The last month of 2021 the Hawthorn games were all pretty competitive, hopefully that's an appetizer for what we can work through in the pre-season and continue on with next year."

A candid and emotive look at Hale's interesting journey - this episode is not to be missed.

Listen below or search for Golden Years on your chosen podcast provider.