LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 17: Paul Puopolo of the Hawks reaches for the ball ahead of Mitch Duncan of the Cats and Cyril Rioli of the Hawks during the AFL 2017 JLT Community Series match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at the University of Tasmania Stadium on February 17, 2017 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Hawthorn have confirmed both Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo will miss at least the next month of football after sustaining injuries during the Hawks' win over Melbourne on Sunday.
Rioli got a knock to the knee during the second quarter, while Puopolo suffered a hamstring injury during the third term.
“We had a really challenging day on the injury front,” Hawthorn's Director of High Performance Andrew Russell told hawthornfc.com.au.
“Cyril has a moderate grade medial injury.
“It is on the same side as his PCL last year… but it’s not related at all.
“It looks like it’s probably in the five to six week range at this stage.
Puopolo's injury wasn't as bad as first thought, although he'll still miss a fair chuck of time.
“He’s probably pulled up a fraction better than we thought he would have,” Russell added.
“He’s got a decent hamstring strain and he’s going to miss four to six weeks.”
Hawthorn veteran Shaun Burgoyne will be unavailable this weekend, although he could return from his hamstring injury as early as round six.