Hawthorn register interest in rising North Melbourne defender Josh Goater

Hawthorn has expressed interest in out-of-contract North Melbourne half back Josh Goater.

Goater was initially offered a one-year deal by the Roos, though they upped it to include a trigger for a second season in recent weeks.

The Hawks are understood to be prepared to offer a two-year deal to the 23-year old, though they are juggling other priorities, with Ben King and Zach Merrett high on their priority list.

Goater endured a horror run with injury across 2024 and 2025. He managed just one senior game across two seasons before returning in June this year.

He finished the campaign with six senior games to his name and 18 all up.