According to some analysts, premiership star Cyril Rioli’s sudden retirement could help Hawthorn land a couple of star recruits, including Rory Sloane.
Writing for afl.com.au, Nick Bowen says Hawthorn is keenly interested in free agents Tom Lynch (Suns) and Rory Sloane (Adelaide).
“More recently, Hawthorn has emerged as a contender for Adelaide star Sloane,” Bowen writes. “Again, it will have a fight on its hands if he chooses to leave West Lakes, with St Kilda and Essendon among the clubs understood to have their hats in the ring.”
“Before Rioli’s retirement it appeared — barring some serious list manoeuvring — the Hawks had the cap space to take on just one of the star free agents.
“However, Wednesday’s development suddenly changes all that.
“As one of the best and most decorated players on Hawthorn’s list, Rioli was understood to earn an average of about $650,000 a season.”
Hawthorn has become one of the league’s top destination clubs, attracting Jack Gunston, Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O’Meara and James Frawley in recent years.
Cyril Rioli's shock retirement has opened the door for @HawthornFC to potentially land Lynch and Sloane.@Nick_Bowen reports: https://t.co/MCQyVbtZRM pic.twitter.com/77SWTPEYAZ
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) July 4, 2018
