'Does affect you': Hawks forward opens up contract saga

Towering Hawthorn forward Mitch Lewis has admitted the speculation around his future this year took a toll on him.

The 27-year-old signed a four-year deal in July to remain with the Hawks, turning down significant interest from Collingwood.

Lewis' signature came just after Hawthorn recontracted veteran forward Jack Gunston, while also planning to bring in Gold Coast spearhead Ben King.

"It does; probably because you're getting heckled about it during the forwards goal kicking," Lewis said of the contract uncertainty.

"I'd feel sorry for guys that sort of carry that throughout a whole season, constantly under speculation in the media and having to answer questions, because it does take its toll.

"It was unwavering in the sense that I wanted to stay, but even so, it took its toll and I was glad that it finally got done because I had a lot of time to think about other things."

With the Suns' season finished, King has already informed the club he will be leaving during the trade period.

While King hasn't officially nominated a club, the 26-year-old will almost certainly request a move to Hawthorn some time in the next six weeks.

"We didn't speak about Ben King, or anyone in particular, in terms of my role," Lewis said.

"The conversations I had with list management and the coaches were I was a wanted player, and they saw a key role in the forward line and in the side.

Lewis is not concerned by how King could potentially affect Hawthorn's forward line structure.

The Hawks would be unlikely to play Lewis, Gunston, King and Mabior Chol in the same forward line.

Developing key forward Calsher Dear is considering his options as rival clubs try to entice him to leave Hawthorn in search of more opportunities elsewhere.

Dear has spent the majority of the season in the VFL, playing just five AFL matches.