MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 17: Ben Stratton of the Hawks and Lindsay Thomas of the Kangaroos compete for the ball during the 2016 AFL Round 13 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Hawthorn Hawks at Etihad Stadium on June 17, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Hawthorn defender Ben Stratton will miss at least the next three weeks due to a torn pectoral muscle.

Stratton sustained the injury during the second quarter of the Hawks' shock loss to Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Ben Stratton and the Hawks leave the field after losing the round 20 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 6, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Ben Stratton and the Hawks leave the field after losing the round 20 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 6, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Hawthorn General Manager of Football Operations Chris Fagan confirmed on Tuesday that the injury will sideline the defender for the rest of the home and away season.

“Ben will miss three-to-four weeks with his pectoral injury which isn't ideal,” Fagan said.

“He’s an important part of our backline unit but we are confident others will step up to cover his absence.”

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