Yesterday Wollongong coach Eric Cooks all but confirmed Rychart would become the 10th member of the Hawks' playing roster, following his productive stints with Brisbane (2007-08), Victoria (2003) and Adelaide (2004-06).

"We're still negotiating but it's getting pretty close," Cooks said.

"I'm hopeful everything will be finalised in the next week or so."

Rychart, 29, played a central role in Brisbane's charge to the 2007 championship, helping the now-defunct club win a league-record 28 games during the regular season.

The 197cm forward will bolster a solid Hawks frontline which includes Beijing-bound Boomers forward Glen Saville, Cam Tragardh, Larry Davidson, Dan Jackson and newcomer Anthony Petrie.

Making up Wollongong's guard rotation will be Mat Campbell, Kavossy Franklin, Lindsay Tait and rookie Rhys Martin.

"It'd be great to add a player like Dusty to the mix," Cooks said.

"He's a good guy and he fits in with any program.

"He's the ultimate 'garbage man', with his ability to accumulate points and rebounds without plays being run for him, and a player like that will always be valued.

"The Hawks have always been based on hard work and Dusty's high work rate would make him a perfect fit for our club," he said.

Saville's national team commitments will keep him out of Hawks pre-season training until the Olympics are over but Cooks expects to have the rest of his team on board over the next fortnight.