FUTURE IN BALANCE FOR HAWKS
HAWTHORN veteran Liam Shiels faces an uncertain future at Waverley as the club prepares to make big calls on some of its premiership stars.
Shiels, 31, and Jack Gunston, 30, remain without contracts for next season as coach Sam Mitchell looks to inject even more youth into the team.
The Hawks will try to strike a new multi-year deal with Gunston, but his excellent late-season form including a five-goal haul against North Melbourne has attracted strong rival interest.
The Brisbane Lions could look for a third forward option such as Gunston to replace Daniel McStay (who is set to move to Collingwood) and on Thursday were linked to a move on
Sydney Swans champion Lance Franklin.
While Gunston is guaranteed to play on in 2023, Shiels’ future is less clear after falling out of favour at Hawthorn in the second half of the season.
The unrestricted free agent has played 12 senior games, been made substitute three times and attended two centre bounces for the year.
The hardworking midfielder-forward could loom large for former coach Alastair Clarkson if he accepts a new coaching job at either North Melbourne or Greater Western Sydney for next season.
Clarkson is considering his options at both clubs and is the leading candidate for the vacancy at the Kangaroos, where he played 93 games between 1987 and 1995.
North Melbourne has made it clear the club wants to recruit more mature-age talent to bolster the side after making big cuts in recent years.
A three-time premiership player, Shiels would offer leadership and maturity in the same vein as Essendon captain Dyson Heppell, who is weighing up interest from Gold Coast.
Shiels was lauded for his selflessness, team ethic, workrate and skill in the forward half throughout the Hawks‘ premiership dynasty and was made co-vice-captain in 2017.
He was concussed in the VFL last weekend and was not considered for selection after playing his last senior game in Round 16. He was sub the following week.
The 254-gamer has averaged 15 disposals a game and kicked three goals for the season.