HAWTHORN has held off re-signing or delisting defender Kurt Heatherley in the hope that he will attract the interest of other clubs in the upcoming trade period.

Foxfooty.com.au understands the out-of-contract Heatherley has been told he could be part of a trade deal in October.

The 22-year-old debuted late in 2016 and despite plenty of promise and a strong overhead mark, he spent the majority of 2017 plying his trade for Box Hill after overcoming early season Achilles problems.

All up he managed just four senior appearances this season in addition to his debut game in Round 20, 2016.

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Of the 16 clubs who are no longer playing, eight have announced at least one delisting and eight have not. Hawthorn is in the latter bracket and is not expected to release any list changes before October 7’s best and fairest gala. The trade period begins two days later.

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Heatherley’s Box Hill form has been solid this year but even when Josh Gibson was out injured, Alastair Clarkson preferred a defensive mix of Kayden Brand, Ryan Burton, Luke Hodge, Jack Gunston, Conor Glass and James Sicily.

Two of the three senior matches he played were against Collingwood. In one game he held Darcy Moore to a couple of goals and in the other he matched up on Alex Fasolo.

Hawthorn's Kurt Heatherley kicks at goal. Pic: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

At 193cm, he was not quite tall enough to play on the monster forwards and not nimble enough to match it with the smalls.

At VFL level the Kiwi spent time on Shaun McKernan and Jordan Lisle and averaged 17 disposals and seven marks across 14 games.

The Hawks have lost Luke Hodge, Josh Gibson and Jack Fitzpatrick (upgraded rookie) from their senior list post-season, while Luke Surman’s departure in May also opens up a spot on the club’s rookie list for 2018.

Hawthorn currently owns Picks 32, 42, 60 and 79 in the national draft and did not wish to comment on the story when contacted.

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