Hawthorn is said to have offered one of their unrestricted free agents an “anti-Godfather offer” he simply must refuse, as another out of contract teammate puts contract talks on ice.

Meanwhile, the details behind a “disrespected” star’s new extension that will see him net around $8 million. Get the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade Whispers!

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‘MUST REFUSE’: FREE AGENT’S FUTURE UNCLEAR WITH ‘ANTI-GODFATHER’ OFFER

Like several other clubs across the AFL, Hawthorn has a number of major contract calls coming up as the trade period slowly approaches — and not many more pressing than key forward Mitch Lewis.

The unrestricted free agent has had a four-year deal on the table for some time now at Dingley, but as one rival in particular circles, the Hawks may need to lift their current offer fast.

“Hawthorn has handed the ‘anti-Godfather deal’. This is the offer that he absolutely must refuse,” Midweek Tackle’s Jon Ralph said.

“I’ve spoken to Lewis in the last 48 hours, and he’s been remarkably frank. He’s been offered a four-year deal as an unrestricted free agent, but right now, the financials are not anywhere near where he or his manager would like them to be.

“I asked him if that deal was good enough for him to stay at Hawthorn. His reply: ‘I don’t know, it’s pretty hard to say what the club is thinking’. He clearly wants to say, but Collingwood is circling.

“It’s such a delicate balancing act; you’ve got to pay your stars and reward them. But, you’ve got to keep some salary cap space for the likes of Zach Merrett, and maybe Ben King. It’s not a balance they’ve got right just yet.”

Gold Coast’s King has been heavily linked to the brown and gold in recent weeks, leaving Lewis one of a handful of players across the competition unsure of what the best move is for their career come 2027.

As the Hawks weigh up secondary plays for the likes of Zach Merrett at Essendon and Bailey Humphrey at the Suns, a long-term commitment from Lewis to the club remains in limbo alongside veteran Jack Gunston and young gun Calsher Dear, for differing reasons.

“Right now, the expectation is that the offer he’s (Lewis) got at Hawthorn, he would be getting plenty more than that at Collingwood — we’re talking maybe a million dollars over the life of the deal … to walk into that club,” Herald Sun journalist Josh Barnes added.

Just how many key forwards can Hawthorn carry on their list heading into 2027?Source: Getty Images

‘EYEBROWS RAISED’ AT $8M CONTRACT RE-JIG FOR ‘DISRESPECTED’ STAR

Details surrounding a surprise two-year extension for North Melbourne star Harry Sheezel have been revealed in a move understood to land him a monster pay rise.

Midweek Tackle panellist Josh Barnes reported on Tuesday night that the 21-year-old’s new term until the end of 2032 at Arden Street is a major win-win for both he and the Kangaroos.

“Eyebrows were sort of raised when this came out around the weekend that he’s added two years to his deal. This isn’t just two extra years; the whole deal has been re-written,” Barnes told Fox Footy.

“He’s got a six-year contract (that’s) about $8 million — maybe even more. It’s going to make him one of the highest-paid players in the league … I think this is just good business.

“I think North Melbourne has looked at it and thought: ‘There is no surer bet in the AFL than Harry Sheezel right now’. He’s missed two games in his whole career, finished top three in the best and fairest every year he’s played. He’s won two of them, he’s the vice-captain already — let’s just pay him what he’s worth and get it over and done with.”

The Ajax junior’s old deal already saw him locked in as a Shinboner until the end of 2030, however such has been the consistency of his form and fitness, both parties came to the table years ahead they needed to.

“He gets completely disrespected, he’s never in the conversation as a top AFL player … I think he’ll be a 400-gamer there. I just love everything about Harry Sheezel,” Jon Ralph added.

Harry Sheezel celebrates during the 2026 AFL Round 4 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Carlton Blues at Marvel Stadium on April 3, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

YOUNG GUN PUTS HAWKS TALKS ‘ON ICE’

Not too dissimilarly to key forward teammate Mitch Lewis, young Hawks gun Calsher Dear has put contract talks “on ice” with just eight rounds to go this home-and-away season.

After six weeks out of the senior side, the 20-year-old tall returned to the AFL fold last Friday night against GWS as an injured Jack Gunston continues to recover from a nagging foot injury.

And while undoubtedly one of the club’s most promising young talents, Dear has been forced to sit and wait on potential list changes outside of his control.

“His talks are officially on ice. I can tell you tonight that he’s put off those negotiations for the moment, really just to focus on his football,” Midweek Tackle’s Lauren Wood revealed.

“He played 17 games in that breakout season two years ago. Nine games last year, and just the five this year as he’s back in the side that beat GWS last Friday night.

“He opened up on the toll that the expectations have taken on him. He was really frank about (how) it was his own expectations that were weighing heavily on him, as much as the external ones.

“Add into that the contract pressure (and) the spectre of Ben King looming large across this forward line at the moment. It’s a really difficult situation the Hawthorn forward line are in at the moment. What Jack Gunston does plays into it as well … there’s certainly a lot of uncertainty around the spearheads.”

After a solid start to life as an AFL player in his debut season, Dear made his mark at the top level with an epic 10-disposals, three-goal performance in a winning elimination final against the Western Bulldogs in 2024.

Dear celebrates with fans after Hawthorn’s Round 16 win over the GWS Giants at the MCG on June 26, 2026 (Photo by Michael Willson via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

TOP FIVE PICK ‘ON THE FENCE’ AS CLUBS ‘SNIFF AROUND’

Top 2023 AFL Draft selection Zane Duursma remains non-committal on his future beyond 2026 amid a form slump.

The flashy 20-year-old has played every game so far this season in North Melbourne’s senior side, but after a hot start, has endured a frustrating form slump, going goalless over the past month.

Out of contract at year’s end, Herald Sun journalist Josh Barnes reports that talks between the forward and the Roos are yet to gather momentum.

“He’s still a little bit on the fence. Obviously (taken) at pick No.4 — a pick before Nick Watson back in that draft,” Barnes told Midweek Tackle on Tuesday night.

“North wants him to stick around on probably a two-year deal. At the moment, talks haven’t got too serious yet; they’ve had early discussions (but) not any real negotiations.

“North Melbourne’s hoping he sticks around, but I think there’s other (clubs) sniffing around … at the moment, those around him say there is no discussion with Essendon.

“I think, more than anything, he just needs to kick some goals and enjoy his footy. I think there are other options out there … two-year deal, and then you can reassess after that.”

Zane is one of four Duursmas playing Australian rules at the elite level, with older brother Xavier (Essendon), sister Yasmin (Carlton) and youngest sibling Willem (West Coast) all active in the AFL/AFLW system.