Hawthorn is playing the cautious approach with star key forward Jack Gunston with the club choosing to give the 34-year-old more time on the sidelines to rest his injured foot.
Gunston has continued his terrific late-career form in 2026 and currently leads the Coleman Medal race with 35 majors, despite missing three games already this year.
Hawthorn hosts the Western Bulldogs for Round 13, but have the bye the following week. The Hawks will be hoping this opportunity to give Gunston two consecutive weeks off will provide their goal-plundering forward the perfect launch ramp to wreak havoc in the second half of the season and be fit for finals.
The club has also opted to rest star key defender Tom Barrass after he failed to overcome a hamstring problem for the Hawks' date with the Dogs. Barrass last played for Hawthorn in its Round 9 loss to Fremantle.
Brisbane Lions co-captain (one of three) Hugh McCluggage's poor run with injury in 2026 has continued as he injured his calf at training on Thursday.
This is the third calf injury the star midfielder has sustained this season as he tries to recapture the form that saw him collect his first All-Australian blazer last year.
Adelaide defender Mark Keane has recovered from his gruesome leg break earlier in the year and will suit up for the Crows in the SANFL this weekend with hopes to return to the AFL soon.
West Coast off-season recruit Brandon Starcevich is set to make his club debut against Port Adelaide at home this weekend.
