Hawthorn is going through an harm disaster a month out from its season opener and will lose James Blanck for the entire yr after Thursday’s intraclub recreation went horribly mistaken for the important thing defender.
Blanck will await the outcomes of a scan after struggling a suspected ACL tear within the second half of the match, whereas a despondent Changkuoth Jiath limped off the sector with a hamstring harm after repeat accidents cruelled his 2023 season.
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The accidents got here after Hawthorn additionally revealed earlier than the match that vice-captain Dylan Moore had been identified with glandular fever, which is able to hold him sidelined for at the very least one month.
The Hawks mentioned Moore could be “given every chance” to play in opposition to the Bombers on March 16, however have already dominated out reigning greatest and fairest Will Day, who stays in a moon boot on account of a foot stress fracture found final month.
“In extreme pain, being carried off now. Carnage at Waverley Park,” 9 News Melbourne reporter Josh Dawe wrote on X.
North Melbourne legend David King mentioned on SEN radio it was a “horror session” for the Hawks.
Hawthorn assistant coach David Hale mentioned the membership hoped the accidents to Blanck and Jiath through the intraclub recreation have been on the “minor end of the scale”.
He mentioned Blanck’s incident, which left the 23-year-old in vital ache, had a “flattening” impact on his teammates and the standard of the match.
“It was a bit flattening, the third period we changed teams, and that period of time I think everyone was thinking in the back of their mind about those two, which is always hard in a footy sense,” Hale mentioned.
“It took a little bit of time to get them going again, and then that last quarter we saw a bit more of the footy we were after.
“It’s always hard when someone you know and (are) pretty close to gets injured in that situation.”
Jiath’s newest setback comes after he was despatched to Qatar for a medical evaluation over the Christmas break after calf and Achilles accidents stored him to solely eight video games.
“It’s frustrating for CJ – he’s done plenty right to get himself into the position he was in today, he’s had a great pre-season,” Hale mentioned.
“He’s a great kid, he’s come back in good nick and hopefully it’s not too long for him.”
Hawthorn head physician Liam West mentioned Moore might nonetheless play spherical 1 however his restoration could be cautiously managed.
The 24-year-old was set to spend extra time up the bottom in Day’s absence, however alternatives might now fall to second-year midfielders Cam Mackenzie and Henry Hustwaite to start the season within the senior aspect.
“We will ensure Dylan is managed safely according to his symptoms over the next few weeks before we map out his return to play timeline,” West mentioned.
“We don’t want to rush Dylan back, but we are hopeful he can bounce back quickly and return to training in the lead up to the start of the season.”
Hawks lock away draft steal till 2026
It comes after the Hawks secured the prized signature of Josh Weddle for 2 extra seasons to tie him to the membership till the top of 2026.
Hawthorn pulled an aggressive dwell choose swap through the 2022 draft to nab the speedy defender with choose 18, and Weddle went on to play all 17 video games after his spherical 7 debut, averaging 17 disposals and 5 marks throughout halfback and on the wing.
Hawks recruiting boss Mark McKenzie mentioned the membership was thrilled to safe a dedication from the 19-year-old.
“Josh has produced a promising start to his AFL career, which should make Hawks fans feel incredibly excited for what’s ahead,” McKenzie mentioned.
“Despite being just a teenager, Josh has an insatiable hunger for hard work and demonstrates a real team-first mentality – both equally impressive qualities that have fit our program perfectly.
“Having shown great maturity during his debut season by playing multiple roles for us in defence, Josh’s development will be exciting to watch, and no doubt he will play a key role in helping to drive our club towards future success.”
Originally printed as ‘Carnage’: Hawthorn intra-club turns into ‘horror session’
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
