Hawthorn National Recruiting & List Manager Mark McKenzie has outlined the club’s focus for the 2025 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period.
With the trade period officially opening on Monday, McKenzie spoke to AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey as the club embarks on the next phase of its 2026 list build.
“I think we’ve been open with what we’ve done and our transition and our journey as a footy club,” McKenzie said.
“That’s been started from three or four years ago with our journey through the draft, and we’ll still look at that, but probably getting a bit more pointed with those players outside of that.
“We want to bring in those high-quality players, have a look through that midfield especially and see where we can go, but yeah, we want to be aggressive and we want to get better, which I would’ve thought every other club wants to do.”
McKenzie also reiterated that the club’s interest in recruiting high-quality players extended to free agency and the draft, as well as the trade period.
“We’ve shown from our football club the interest to get better and we’ll do that for any scenarios, whether that’s trade, free agency or the draft, which we have done especially through the draft over the last few years,” McKenzie said.
“But then (we had) a bit more of a focus on the trade and free agency last year, so (we’re) always in the market for high-quality players, so that will not be much difference.”
The Hawks have already made a move in the free agency period, which opened on Friday, farewelling James Worpel and receiving Pick 39 as compensation.
McKenzie wished Worpel the best in his next chapter with Geelong.
“He’s been such a quality player and person on and off the field,” McKenzie said.
“You know what you get from James with his competitiveness, and he’s achieved a lot over the last number of years for our footy club.
“We’re sad to lose him, but he’s gone through the tough times with us and the good times obviously recently, but we only wish him all the best.
The Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period closes on Wednesday 15 October at 7.30pm AEDT.
Click here to stay tuned to Hawthorn’s Trade & Draft Hub for all the latest updates.
Watch Mark McKenzie's full interview with Cal Twomey below
