Hawks young gun on key to breakout season after Merrett trade saga; Giant rejected bigger rival offer, young gun’s dad lobbies for Vic return — In and Under

A Hawks young gun has spoken on the key to his breakout season after being linked to the Zach Merrett trade saga.

Plus an emerging ruckman turned down a significantly better rival offer to stay loyal to their club, and a rising Giant’s dad has lobbied for a Victorian homecoming after intrigue around his future.

In and Under delves into footy’s hottest topics, with insights from behind the scenes.

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MACKENZIE ON BREAKOUT SEASON, LINK TO MERRETT TRADE SAGA

Hawthorn young gun Cam Mackenzie has put his improved form down to more consistent midfield opportunities and reps at AFL level.

Hawks coach Sam Mitchell gave a special shout out to Mackenzie for his “intensity” after the club’s midfield domination of GWS last Friday night.

The 22-year old registered 27 disposals with seven tackles and the fourth-most pressure acts (24) to continue a career-best season where he’s established himself in Hawthorn’s on-ball brigade.

After limited senior opportunities last season, when Mackenzie played 13 games, the former No. 7 pick is now thriving with greater continuity.

“It’s been nice this year to have a bit more time through the middle. I’ve really enjoyed the extra responsibility of being a frontline midfielder,” he told foxfooty.com.au after last Friday night’s win over GWS.

“I think it’s just about consistency, I’m now really confident in my body and I’ve had a good stretch of games in terms of a conditioning standpoint.

“Four years in, I feel a lot fitter and a lot stronger. I feel like I’m able to cope with the pressure of AFL footy.

“The messaging from the club was that they were happy with how I was going in terms of progression.

“Worked really hard through the off-season and wanted to get myself in a position to contribute on a regular basis.”

It comes after the 59-gamer was linked to Zach Merrett trade talk as a player that could break the deadlock in negotiations between Hawthorn and Essendon.

But Mackenzie, a Hawks fan growing up, said he was assured at his exit interview the club was keen to keep him and that’s as far as it went.

Fair to say he’s repaying the faith.

“I didn’t really give it much thought,” he said of the Merrett trade link.

“I remember at my exit meeting with the club when that was brought up, they were so clear on the fact that they loved me here and I definitely wanted to stay.

“I love this group and I grew up a Hawks man, so I don’t want to be anywhere else.

“It didn’t really affect me at all, I was getting pretty clear messaging.

“I didn’t meet with Essendon at all and there was no talk from my manager. It was just a bit of talk in the media.”

With Hawthorn set to again target Merrett among others in an aggressive recruiting bid, Mackenzie would welcome the Bombers star joining Hawks midfield.

“He’s obviously a great footballer and someone that adds a lot, he’s just a gun,” Mackenzie said.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, I don’t have any say on that sort of stuff.

“We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

GIANTS RUCKMAN REJECTED BIGGER TIGERS DEAL, DAD OF YOUNG GUN LOBBIES FOR VICTORIAN MOVE

It’s believed Giants ruckman Nick Madden turned down a more significant offer from Richmond after recommitting to GWS.

Madden this week signed a four-year extension that runs through 2030 in a coup for the club that casts doubt around the future of free agent Kieren Briggs at the Giants.

The Tigers are in the market for a ruck successor to veteran skipper Toby Nankervis, who turns 32 next month and has been limited to four games this season due to injury, with foxfooty.com’au’s Will Faulkner first reporting Richmond’s interest in Madden.

It’s understood Madden, a Giants academy product, took a substantially less deal to stay at the club as the 22-year old followed in the footsteps of the likes of Finn Callaghan, Sam Taylor and Brent Daniels.

The Giants are now expected to turn their attention to locking away Max Gruzewski on a new deal, while veterans Toby Greene are Jesse Hogan also out of contract.

Intrigue around Gruzewski, considered a target for Victorian clubs trying to lure him home, comes after the 21-year old’s dad lobbied for his son to join North Melbourne, who the family supports, with a social media post earlier this year.

“Would make me happy if the young fella came to the club we follow,” Jeremy Gruzewski wrote on a North Melbourne fan page Facebook page post in late April that linked the Giants forward to trade talk.

Gruzewski suffered a patella dislocation against Hawthorn last week that won’t require surgery.

But it’s brutal timing for the former No. 22 pick, who set for a key opportunity to help anchor Adam Kingsley’s forward line with Hogan facing a potential season-ending finger injury.

There’s meanwhile yet to be any contract talks with Briggs, who Richmond could turn its attention to. West Coast’s Bailey Williams and Gold Coast’s Jarrod Witts are other rucks set to become free agents.

The Giants prioritising Madden’s signature is a strong showing of faith in the 204cm, six-gamer, who looked set to take over the number one ruck spot at the club before being sidelined by injury.

“It’s fantastic to have Nick commit to the club for the next four years,” GWS footy boss Jason McCartney said.

“Ruckmen often take a bit longer to develop but we’re really pleased with where he’s already at and it’s exciting to see how much more he can grow over the coming years.

“He’s got a great hunger to compete, which paired with his size and his skillset makes him a really promising player.

“He’s also a terrific young fella who is highly valued by his teammates and our football program, so we’re really happy thrilled that he sees his future here at the Giants.”

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