Gold Coast are set to secure Hawthorn forwards Aidan Schubert and Sam Butler as they rebuild their attack following Ben King’s move to the Hawks.
Schubert has agreed to a five-year contract with the Suns, while Butler was persuaded to join after visiting the club on Friday. Both players could become Gold Coast players as early as Monday.
The deal for Schubert formed part of the arrangement that allowed Gold Coast to accept compensation for losing King. Butler, meanwhile, is seeking greater opportunities after being unable to establish himself in Hawthorn’s senior side during six seasons at the club.
His progress was also affected by a broken leg in 2024. At Hawthorn, Nick Watson, Dylan Moore and Jack Ginnivan emerged as the club’s established small-forward combination.
Butler has a family connection to the Suns through his brother Dan, who played in Richmond’s 2017 premiership team under current Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick.
Hawthorn will begin 2027 with King, Jack Gunston, Mitchell Lewis, Mabior Chol and Calsher Dear among their key forwards. Gunston and Chol will enter the final year of their contracts, while the Hawks are expected to receive second-round draft picks in exchange for the young forwards.
