Crossword Genius

Tricks a thug then flirts with eye (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hoodwinks

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'tricks' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a thug then flirts with eye' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'thug' could be 'hood' (synonyms) and 'hood' is found within the answer.
'with' could be 'w' (abbreviation) and 'w' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'inks' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hoodwinks that I've seen before include "gulls" , "pulls a fast one" , "Bamboozles" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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