Hawthorn secured former Melbourne tall Jack Fitzpatrick late on Wednesday in a deal that sent selection No.94 to the Demons.

Fitzpatrick played just 22 games in five years for the Demons and was delisted at the end of the season after just three games in 2015.

However he showed promise at various time with his rare combination of height and pace allowing him to play in the ruck and forward.

The Hawks were looking for a young player to fill that role after triple premiership ruckman David Hale retired at the end of the season.

"With the retirement of David Hale, we have been on the lookout for a tall forward/ruckman and we're happy to have secured Jack's services," Hawthorn recruiting and list Manager Graham Wright said.

Fitzpatrick, 24, will keep selection pressure on Ben McEvoy and Jonathon Ceglar during 2016. 

He was runner-up in the Casey Scorpions best and fairest in 2015.