He played only 10 senior matches this season due to hamstring issues, with his last match - also his 200th - in the qualifying final win over Geelong. Sewell played an integral role in the emergence of the Hawks under coach Alastair Clarkson. A 2003 rookie draft selection, he was the 2007 best and fairest and finished second in 2012, when he most likely would have won the Norm Smith medal had the Hawks defeated the Swans in the grand final. He was a member of the 2008 premiership side which stunned the football world by defeating Geelong and was a part of the 2013 side which edged Fremantle. He also played a major role in refocusing the side after the disappointment of the losing 2012 grand final. In journalist Michael Gordon's book about the Hawks' 2013 premiership, Playing to Win: The Inside Story of Hawthorn's Journey To An 11th Premiership, Sewell spoke about his role in the side.

"Everyone brings different attributes to the side, and if you're not exceptional in one area, you're not going to be an AFL player," he said. "For me, it's hunting the ball and intensity around the contest, and if I'm not doing that well, other guys can come in and play that role. "You need to have the strong inside mids [mid-fielders], if you like. They're the guys that have as big an influence as any come September, and we're fortunate we've got three or four guys who have the ability to play that role. "You genuinely have to enjoy the contest, the fight and the physicality of it, but for me as much as anything it's quite simple: if I'm not doing that, I'm not getting a game. "So I guess there is an element of fear in it. You want to play footy for as long as you can at the highest level, and the only way I'm going to be doing that is if I'm contesting the ball in close, in stoppages and clearances and tackles and all those little things."

The Hawks have already made a splash through the free agency period, securing former Melbourne tall utility James Frawley on a four-year contract, with a trigger for a fifth season. The signing of Frawley, which is expected to give the Demons pick three as compensation, could spark interest in Hawks' utility Ryan Schoenmakers, who may face a tough fight to play regular senior football next season. However, Schoenmakers, who missed selection in the grand final, has told the Hawks he wants to remain at the club. As clubs gear up for the official opening to the trade period on Monday, the Hawks and St Kilda remain in contention for young Greater Western Sydney midfielder Jono O'Rourke, who wants to return home to Melbourne. A former No.2 pick, O'Rourke has managed only Hawks assistant coach Brendon Bolton will be interviewed by the Adelaide Crows on Sunday as part of stage two of their search for a new senior coach. Port Adelaide assistant coach Phillip Walsh remains the favourite but Bolton's experience in the Hawks' back-to-back premierships has made him a promising option.

If Adelaide does not make a final call by early next week, it's expected the Hawks will ask the Crows for a time frame, because they may have to begin the search for a new assistant coach. Loading The Saints, meanwhile, are awaiting a response from uncontracted GWS youngster Kristian Jaksch, with Carlton also firmly in the frame. The Saints are also in the running for young Sydney forward Tim Membrey. Sydney defender Nick Malceski is keen to remain with the Swans but will wait until receiving an offer from the Gold Coast Suns, expected within days, before determining where he will continue his career. Malceski visited the Suns last week. The Swans have offered him a two-year deal.