The Hawks had also hoped to clear salary cap space as life under new coach Sam Mitchell begins,but his primary task now is to ensure that the players offered up for trade can quickly refocus on the task at hand at Waverley.
“We wanted a better hand and we explored that. Also,our strategy is not just for one year. Our strategy is over a three- to four-year period,so if it remains with three picks inside 25,and we are able to get that over the next two years,that is a strong development for our footy club and that is a strong part of our list management strategy,” McKenzie said under fierce media questioning on Thursday.
“Even though we can still improve those picks[come the national draft],if it doesn’t happen,we are still pretty comfortable with those three picks inside 25 and we move on to focus on the next couple of years and improve that area as well.”
As it stands,the Hawks – having finished 14th this year with only seven wins – have selections No.5,No.21 and No.24 in November’s national draft.
Greater Western Sydney had interest in Wingard and the NSW born and raised Breust – the Hawks could have acquired pick 13 for latter,with an agreement to pay a hefty chunk of the sharpshooter’s wage – but neither wanted to uproot and head interstate. Giants list chief Jason McCartney has suggested Breust did not have enough time to fully digest a move.
“But,in the end,he[Breust] didn’t want to leave and that was great for our footy club. So that just shut down there,” McKenzie said.