Sam Mitchell says Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald embarrassed by scissor lift footage, but it release might lift weight on them

Panellist Caroline Wilson told the program Hawthorn were advised at the time of the incident to make the matter public, asking Mitchell if the club rejected keeping it under wraps for three months, but the coach said he was unaware if such advice was offered by league headquarters.

Both players were charged with criminal trespass, with court records showing Moore has a sentencing hearing at the Scottsdale City Court on July 13, and Macdonald listed to face court on August 4. The Hawks don’t believe the players will have to face those charges in person.

Mitchell said he did not expect the situation would have any ongoing impact on the pair’s form or availability.

“My understanding is most of the legal proceedings are completed,” he said on Wednesday. “There’s a couple of extra things to go through, but I don’t think it will be affecting their form or anything to do with what we’re doing on a weekly basis.”

Mitchell also reiterated his pride in Moore and Macdonald’s performances last week when they played against Essendon under the scrutiny of the scandal which became public days earlier.

While the off-field storyline continues to generate attention, Hawthorn’s list build remains firmly in focus – particularly its pursuit of elite midfield talent.

Mitchell again refused to be drawn on the future of Essendon’s Zach Merrett after reports the Bombers had tabled a lucrative long-term contract extension to retain their former captain. Mitchell joked he had begun counting how many times he had been asked about the star onballer.

“I think that’s 11 (questions) now,” Mitchell said. “And the answers are the same – we won’t talk about opposition players.”

“As a list management department, we want to get the best possible list we can that will help us win premierships. That’s the job of every list management group in the league.

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“How we go about that, who we target? You’ll find out in the trade period.”

Merrett has long been viewed as a prime target for rival clubs – particularly the Hawks who tried to secure him in last year’s trade period.

Meanwhile, Mitchell turned his attention to this week’s on-field challenge against ladder leaders Sydney, warning his side cannot afford complacency regardless of the Swans losing star midfielder Errol Gulden (shoulder) to a long-term injury and having Isaac Heeney (hamstring) under a fitness cloud.

“They’re a very good side playing really good footy,” he said. “You can’t have a lapse against Sydney – even 10 minutes – because they can put a score on very quickly.”

Mitchell pointed to Hawthorn’s opening round loss to GWS as a reminder of the dangers of underestimating undermanned opposition.

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