Free agent Breust to stick with the Hawks during rebuild

Hawthorn are confident free agent Luke Breust’s experience will assist the club develop a new crop of youngsters as they locked the triple premiership forward in for a further two years, signing him until the end of 2023.

Out of contract at the end of this season, the 30-year-old’s decision to stick with the Hawks beyond 2021 is a vote of confidence in the club’s direction as they look to rebuild after a wretched 2020 when they finished 15th and lost free agent Isaac Smith to Geelong.

The announcement also comes just a week after Breust celebrated his wedding, marrying long-time partner Anthea.

Newly appointed football manager Ron McCartney said Breust’s experience makes him a key player at the Hawks in the next few years as the club reshapes their list in the wake of a golden era that saw the small forward form a dangerous combination alongside retired small forwards Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo during the 2013-2015 three-peat.