SIX TO eight Hawks are in the mix as part of a trade deal to help wantaway Sun Jaeger O'Meara end up at Hawthorn.
That is according to Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft, who said his club wanted proven and established players in exchange for the talented midfielder.
Premiership Hawks Luke Breust and James Sicily have been names mentioned, but Hawthorn has moved to deny that speculation in recent days.
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O'Meara, the 2013 NAB AFL Rising Star, has nominated the Hawks as his preferred new home.
"We're not going to go into the individual names of those players, but there would be anywhere between 6-8 players discussed," Ashcroft said.
"That, coupled with draft selections, it's all part of the mix."
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Ashcroft said he was hoping discussions would not drag out.
"I think it's in Hawthorn's court," Ashcroft said.
"We're letting them come to us with what they think they can give and we’ll make an assessment on that over the next few days.
"Hopefully, sooner rather than later, we can confirm deals.”
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Ashcroft also confirmed the Suns' interest in out-of-contract Collingwood ruckman Jarrod Witts.
"He's someone we'd like to talk to and bring into our footy club," Ashcroft said.
"'Rocket's' (Suns coach Rodney Eade) worked with him in the past at Collingwood and we'll have more discussions and get that finalised pretty quickly."
However, out-of-contract Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow – who has been linked to the Suns – is not in the club's trade plans.
"Probably not," Ashcroft said when asked if the Suns are interested in Barlow.
"I know we've spoken about the job description and players filling a role within our midfield, with midfield depth.
"Michael fits that job description but again we haven't confirmed nor denied any of those names yet."
