SCULLY NEXT TO LEAVE?

HAWTHORN is backing its renowned rehabilitation program to restore Greater Western Sydney gut runner Tom Scully to peak form.

Scully, 27, will join the Hawks on what is likely to be a four-year deal after he met with coach Alastair Clarkson on Thursday.

The 2009 No.1 pick passed a medical examination on the same day, despite not playing since Round 2 when he suffered a season-ending broken ankle and syndesmosis ligament damage against Collingwood.

The Hawks could yet secure one of the AFL’s most powerful runners for as little as a thirdround pick. Hawthorn currently holds picks 15, 35 and 53.

Fitness guru Andrew Russell has defected to Carlton, but the physios and doctors who helped solve Jaeger O’Meara’s knee issues remain at the club.

Scully, pictured, was keen to return to Victoria and is one of four Giants leaving a club in the grip of a major salary-cap squeeze.

Scully had three years to run on a deal at GWS, renegotiated after joining the expansion club as the game’s “$6 million man”.

Teammates Dylan Shiel and Rory Lobb are leaving for Essendon and Fremantle, respectively, and would have been on big bucks if they had chosen to stay at GWS.

Young Giant Will Setterfield, who has played only two AFL games in two years because of a knee reconstruction, was yesterday traded with pick 71 to Carlton in exchange for the Blues’ pick 43 and a future second-round selection. Setterfield was set to earn about $400,000 at the Giants next year — a deal given to him in an attempt to ward off interstate raiders.

Despite the player fire sale, GWS is adamant its premiership window remains open with an abundance of A-grade talent still at the club.