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Giants explain reason behind 'staggering' Tom Scully trade

Tom Scully is officially a Hawthorn Hawks player after being traded from GWS in exchange for the Gold Coast Suns’ 2019 fourth-round pick.

A foundation player at the Giants, Scully was considered one of the club’s most important players and was under contract for years to come.

But after suffering a serious ankle injury in round two he did not return to the field this year – and that’s why the Hawks have barely had to pay up.

“It was a complex trade given the uncertainly around Tom’s ankle,” said GWS list boss Jason McCartney.

McCartney later added: “He’s got to work through a few things on his ankle rehabilitation, there’s no doubt about that. Hawthorn’s fully aware of that and they’re going to back themselves.”

Tom Scully will be wearing Hawthorn colours next season. Pic: Getty
Tom Scully will be wearing Hawthorn colours next season. Pic: Getty

Hawthorn list manager Graham Wright reiterated their confidence in the club’s doctors but conceded there is a long way to go.

“He had a significant ankle injury, I think everyone knows that,” he told AFL Trade Radio.

“He tried to come back and it was a 12 to 16-week injury originally. And then he tried to come back and it wasn’t quite ready. He had another surgery after that. And he’s seven to eight weeks since that.

“He’s about another five to six weeks away from starting to jog again. It’s a significant ankle injury and he comes with a bit of a risk. But we’ll back our guys in.”

Scully had three years remaining on a contract with GWS worth a reported $500,000 and is expected to sign a three-year deal with triggers for a fourth at Hawthorn.

Former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes had expressed concerns about the potential trade when it was first rumoured over the weekend, bizarrely calling on the AFL to intervene.

“I know he’s had ankle (problems) but Tom Scully is an elite midfielder of the competition,” Cornes told AFL Trade Radio.

“The AFL just can’t allow him to walk for pick 53 to one of the strongest clubs in the competition.

“There must be some restrictions. It has to be a first-round draft pick, surely. The AFL must step in.”

Meanwhile, Hawthorn have sent premiership defender Taylor Duryea to the Western Bulldogs.

The Dogs have parted ways with their 2019 fourth-round pick to get Duryea on a two-year deal.

Pies retain seven players

Collingwood defender Tom Langdon has signed a new three-year AFL contract with the Magpies after spurning the advances of rival clubs.

The Pies have had a quiet trade period with one day to go, but had a win when Langdon turned down tempting offers from Fremantle and Sydney.

The Dockers, where Langdon’s brother Ed has played 46 games in four seasons, and the Swans showed interest after Collingwood were slow to re-sign the 24-year-old, who enjoyed an excellent finals series.

Langdon was one of seven re-signings the club announced on Tuesday.

The beaten grand finalists have also secured Lynden Dunn for one year, Darcy Moore (two), Tim Broomhead (one), Jamie Elliott (one), Josh Thomas (three) and rookie Flynn Appleby (two).

Broomhead will be delisted and put on the rookie list as he continues to recover from the broken leg he suffered in round two.

with AAP