Hawthorn Hawks Acquired Defender Josh Goater

The Hawthorn Hawks have secured defender Josh Goater following his official trade request from the North Melbourne Kangaroos.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Soccer

Hawthorn Hawks Acquired Defender Josh Goater

Live Poll

Do you feel frequent roster changes in the off-season improve your local team's chances?

The Hawthorn Hawks have finalised a trade to bring defender Josh Goater into their side. The move saw the North Melbourne Kangaroos receive a third-round draft pick previously tied to Port Adelaide.

Why it matters

The acquisition bolsters the defensive roster for the Hawthorn Hawks as they continue to reshape their squad. Goater, who requested the move, looks to bring his experience from the North Melbourne Kangaroos to his new club.

Josh Goater is 23 years old and was originally selected as the No. 22 pick in the 2021 draft. He enters his new club with 18 career AFL games to his name, including six appearances throughout the 2026 season.

The players

Josh Goater

He is a 23-year-old professional defender who has played 18 career AFL games.

Hawthorn Hawks

This is an Australian rules football club competing in the AFL.

North Melbourne Kangaroos

This is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne.

Port Adelaide

This is a professional Australian rules football club that provided the draft pick used in the trade.

The details

The trade agreement involved the Hawthorn Hawks sending a third-round draft pick, originally held by Port Adelaide, to the North Melbourne Kangaroos. This transfer is part of broader league activity that has also seen players like Zach Merrett, Ben King, Nick Blakey, and Zane Duursma move between various clubs.

Josh Goater was selected as the No. 22 pick in the 2021 draft.
Josh Goater played six AFL games throughout 2026.
The trade to the Hawthorn Hawks was completed in October 2026.

Season Trajectory

This move reflects the ongoing roster restructuring that defines the annual AFL trade period. The transfer impacts the depth charts and draft capital for the involved clubs as they position themselves for the upcoming season.

The Hawthorn Hawks have successfully secured defensive depth, while the North Melbourne Kangaroos add a third-round selection to their future draft assets. This move alters the defensive rotation for Hawthorn and shifts draft capital allocation for North Melbourne.

The takeaway

This transaction highlights how clubs balance immediate roster needs with long-term draft strategy during the off-season. Supporters should monitor how these new defensive arrivals integrate into the starting rotation during pre-season training.