Hawks land Chol as Duursma explores a return to Victoria

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Gold Coast forward Mabior Chol has requested a trade to Hawthorn after being offered a deal that could stretch to four years to join the club.

The 26-year-old, who has played 61 games with Richmond and the Suns, decided the Hawks were the best fit for him as he slots in next to emerging star Mitch Lewis.

Mabior Chol has requested a trade to Hawthorn.Credit: Getty Images

In the battle for his services North Melbourne were prepared to offer Chol a three-year deal, but the Hawks were open to either giving him a fourth season or a trigger for a fourth year. Adelaide had pulled out of the race on Tuesday.

A source familiar with Chol’s deal who isn’t authorised to speak on it publicly said it will be worth approximately $500,000 a season for at least two years of his contract.

The Suns invited the contracted Chol to explore his options with their forward line already containing Ben King and Levi Casboult, and highly rated youngster Jed Walter to join the club via this year’s draft.

He was a strong performer for the Suns in his first season after crossing from Richmond where he played 31 games, kicking 44 goals in 2022 but did not have the same opportunities in 2023. However, he played well in the VFL to help the club to their first flag.

Chol is expected to provide a good foil for Lewis after former Hawk Jacob Koschitzke asked for a trade to Richmond.

His decision is also a good result for the Hawks who missed out on attempts to land Ben McKay, who chose to join Essendon, and Liam Henry, who wants to become a Saint. Hawthorn are also exploring the prospect of convincing West Coast to hand over the No.1 pick, so they can get access to Harley Reid.

Xavier Duursma is open to a return to VictoriaCredit: Getty

According to industry list management sources, who weren’t authorised to speak publicly, Victorian clubs were contacted last week to garner interest in Port Adelaide wingman Xavier Duursma, with Essendon keeping their options open on the talented 23-year-old. The Bombers’ key defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has requested a trade to Port Adelaide, so if the Bombers were to pursue Duursma he could form part of that trade discussion.

The Brisbane Lions’ Deven Robertson has decided to remain at the Lions despite attracting interest from the West Coast Eagles. Robertson took time to cement a spot in the Lions’ line-up but played in the grand final and played 16 games in 2023. The West Australian had put off deciding his future until after the finals’ series but informed both clubs on Thursday.

Carlton’s Zac Fisher is closing in on officially informing the Blues he wants to be traded to North Melbourne with the 25-year-old having a medical at the Kangaroos on Thursday while The Age confirmed via an industry source that St Kilda’s Nick Coffield, who had a one-year deal on the table from the Saints, has requested a trade to the Western Bulldogs.

Fisher had two years remaining on his contract with the Blues, but they are open to trading him after he struggled to hold his spot in the team this season. The popular Blue wanted to remain in Victoria and North Melbourne see him and Dylan Stephens as adding to their outside run in 2024.

Carlton are not expected to be aggressive during this year’s trade period with their focus turning more to retention than acquisition, but they are expected to meet with Gold Coast’s Elijah Hollands. Hollands did not get a look in at the Suns after being selected with pick 7 in the 2020 national draft.

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