With Hawthorn prioritising youth and their impending rebuild, will star players seek a trade at the end of the year?
Four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis has previously suggested the club should allow it’s veterans to seek new homes if they want to, naming Luke Breust and Jack Gunston as players with currency.
Now, former Hawthorn captain Shane Crawford has thrown Chad Wingard’s name into the mix.
"You don't have much control because the club virtually takes control of your destiny a bit, especially if there's going to be a better deal," Crawford told Channel 9.
"I think Chad Wingard, I'm not saying you want to trade him, but I reckon clubs would probably see him as the most important Hawthorn player because he's a wonderful ball user, plays across half forward.
"His first six games this year was right up there with the very best. Then he's had a big drop away, but he's played a lot more through the middle.
"It wouldn't surprise me if a lot of clubs come asking about Chad Wingard and whether or not they can get him on their list."
Wingard joined the Hawks from Port Adelaide in 2018, likely assuming they would be a team in finals contention.
The star forward is contracted with Hawthorn through to the end of 2022.