Delisted Hawk undergoes medical with Magpies
Hawthorn has committed to re-listing the veteran, however, they are not the only suitors in the market.
Veteran forward Chad Wingard is said to have undergone a medical with Collingwood less than a day after the South Australian was officially delisted by Hawthorn.
While the Hawks have committed to re-listing the former Power goalsneak, stating that Wingard would remain in brown and gold throughout 2024 via a place on their rookie list, Sam Mitchell’s side now has competition for the 30-year-old’s services.
As first reported by Michael Gleeson of The Age, Wingard met with Collingwood’s powerbrokers Graham Wright and Craig McRae on Friday, undergoing a medical with the Magpies.
Though the reigning premier’s level of commitment to forward is still ambiguous, Wright, McRae and Wingard hold a previous professional relationship, with each having worked together during their time together at Waverley Park.
However, as stated by Gleeson, sources suggest that Wingard is keen to stick to the original plan and return to the Hawks’ fold for a sixth season.
Wingard was cut on Thursday in an effort to open space on Hawthorn’s senior list, with the club professing that they would, once again, make Wingard a Hawk at this month’s rookie draft.
The choice to move Wingard onto the secondary list was made easier by the fact that the Murray Bridge native will not be available for the opening portion of next season after injuring himself late in his 2023 campaign.
Since crossing over from Port Adelaide at the cessation of 2018, Wingard – a dual All-Australian during his time at Alberton – has featured on just 71 occasions for Hawthorn, failing to truly fire at his second home.
The 2023 AFL Rookie Draft is set to commence on Wednesday, November 23 – the day after the completion of the two-night National Draft.
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