Hawthorn reinforcements coming as Crows blockbuster looms
Hawthorn is set to be boosted by two key players for their AFL round 11 clash against Adelaide at the University of Tasmania on Thursday night.
The Hawks sorely missed spearhead Jack Gunston in their loss to Melbourne on Sunday, with the veteran carrying a foot injury, but he looms as a likely inclusion for the Crows clash, while Conor Nash (concussion) and Mabior Chol (hamstring) could also return.
They are also set to be boosted by star midfielder Will Day in the coming weeks, with the hard-runner potentially set to play in the VFL for Box Hill Hawks against Richmond on Friday evening.
“I think he’ll come back through the VFL. I think he’ll play reasonably limited game time in his first game back whenever that is, I couldn’t put an exact date on it,” Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said recently.
“When he gets back, I suspect he will play at least one game with limited game time through the VFL and we’ll make assessments from there.”
Adelaide is unlikely to take any risks with wingman Isaac Cumming after he left the field early in the fourth quarter of their easy win over North Melbourne with a hamstring compliant.
“There’s a little bit of concern with that hammy,” Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said.
“There was just some tightness through the hamstring, and there’s a little bit of history there, but fingers crossed it’s nothing that holds him back.”
The Crows could also be boosted by key forward Riley Thilthorpe after he was forced out against the Roos with a lingering back issue.
Nicks said the towering Thilthorpe would be given every opportunity to return this week, but hinted they would take the cautious approach in getting him fit to perform.
“Is it another week? We don’t know. He’ll be ready to train early in the week and hopefully, touch wood, we can get him back in, because he is a very important part of what we do,” Nicks said.
Former captain Taylor Walker is also nearing a return from a hamstring strain suffered in round eight, while Mitch Hinge should be available.
The Hawks (1.42), despite their dismal showing against Melbourne, have been installed heavy favourites by betting sites, while the Crows are priced at around the 2.84 quote to win.
