Hawthorn's fears that success with an old team could squeeze out young players could in part be realised with promising young talent Jed Anderson asking for a trade.

Anderson is contracted for next year but has asked the Hawks that if a trade was possible he would like to move to another club and get more opportunities for regular senior football.

Jed Anderson: Leaving the Hawks. Credit:Getty Images

Anderson was down the pecking order at Hawthorn this year with the midfielder and forward managing only four games for the season as he tried to work his way back into the team after missing all of last season with a shoulder injury. He played six games in his debut season of 2013.

Billy Hartung, emergency in the grand final, is pushing to be next in line to come into the team while Will Langford, a premiership player last year, had also been edged out of the team this year and is determined to reclaim a place. The club also traded in Jono O'Rourke from Greater Western Sydney last year and he is among the players - including Anderson - the club had earmarked as the next generation to begin working into the team to keep the premiers rejuvenating.