HAWTHORN ruckman Marc Pittonet looks likely to rebuff interest from Greater Western Sydney and stick with the Hawks.

And the Hawks are also moving towards retaining fellow big man Jonathon Ceglar, despite Brisbane being among the clubs courting the ruckman.

Jon Ceglar rucks against Nic Naitanui in round 15.



The Giants are hoping to bolster their ruck department this off-season, having met with Adelaide veteran Sam Jacobs who is weighing a move to the club.

Greater Western Sydney co-captain Phil Davis, who was a teammate of Jacobs at the Crows in 2011, is helping drive the club's push.

The Giants have also identified Pittonet as an option, potentially as a back-up to Jacobs if they are to land the uncontracted 31-year-old.

A call on the future of GWS' returning ruck Shane Mumford will be made at the end of this season, with the Giants already losing Dawson Simpson to retirement after he eked out a final year on the club's list.

Shane Mumford's future remains up in the air.



Pittonet has played only seven games at AFL level since joining the Hawks at the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, struggling to break into the senior line-up with three-time premiership player Ben McEvoy leading the ruck division.

The 23-year-old has not yet re-signed with Hawthorn for next year but appears headed for a new contract, having played two games this season and been a strong performer at VFL level.

It is also believed Ceglar is edging towards a new deal at Hawthorn.

With the Lions circling the unrestricted free agent it appeared Ceglar's days with the Hawks could be coming to a close, but rival clubs are now of the view he is most likely to stay in the brown and gold.

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Ceglar shouldered the Hawks' rucking duties in the final three rounds of the season, averaging 36 hitouts in the club's wins over Greater Western Sydney, Gold Coast and West Coast.

The 28-year-old played 15 games this season, for a total of 76 in his career after formerly being on Collingwood's list.

The Giants had some minor interest in Darcy Cameron earlier in the year, although Carlton appears to be leading the race for the out-of-favour Sydney ruckman.

The Blues are keen to provide competition for veteran ruckman Matthew Kreuzer, with Cameron identified as one of a number of potential young successors following another strong season with the Swans' NEAFL team.

Cameron, 24, has found senior opportunities difficult to come by since joining Sydney as a mature-aged recruit, playing just one AFL game in his three years with the club.

Carlton is eyeing ruck depth ahead of October, having delisted veteran big man Matthew Lobbe last week. Kreuzer's current deputy, Andrew Phillips, is still weighing up a one-year offer from the club, while youngster Tom De Koning is seen as a longer-term prospect.

Meanwhile, Carlton has met with Richmond premiership player Dan Butler as the club's pursuit of a small forward continues.

Butler, who is uncontracted at the Tigers beyond 2019, toured the club's facilities at Ikon Park on Wednesday, having fallen out of favour at Punt Road to play just seven AFL games this season.

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