After Hawthorn's 85-point victory over the Kangaroos on the weekend in Launceston, the selection squeeze for the Hawks looks to continue as a host of players look to push a case for a return to the senior team, while young defender Josh Weddle will be sidelined with bone stress in his back.
Weddle, who has been an influential part of Hawthorn's attacking raids from the backline, missed the light training session on Tuesday with the injury to his back that will see him miss a significant chunk of football.
While the loss of Weddle will be difficult to cover, the possible return of a host of experienced players this week eases the pain for the Hawks, who are looking to make it four wins on the trot in their clash against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.
During Hawthorn's light training session on Tuesday morning, captain James Sicily, experienced midfielder James Worpel and influential defender Jack Scrimshaw all trained with the main group in a sign that the trio are nearing a return to playing AFL football after being injured.
Sicily, who underwent surgery during the Hawks' mid-season bye to help deal with a hip issue, trained strongly with the backline during the session, as he looks to return to the side for the first time since the Hawks' match against Collingwood in Round 12.
The Captain, who was an All-Australian member in 2023, was close to selection last week, but the Hawks were cautious with his return, knowing how important Sicily's leadership and ball use will be for the team in the back end of the season, as they look to secure consecutive finals appearances.
Worpel, who is out of contract at the end of the season, hasn't appeared for the Hawks since early in their Round 13 clash against the Bulldogs, where he suffered a severely corked thigh that saw him subbed out in the Hawks' victory.
The 2019 Peter Crimmins Medalist, who is an out of contract free agent at the end of the season, was involved in the midfield stoppage drills during the light training session, as he looks to put forth a case to return to the Hawks engine room alongside Jai Newcombe, Josh Ward and Conor Nash as they tackle a Saints midfield that dominated clearances against a star studded Fremantle team last week.
Scrimshaw, who was tasked with playing as an undersized key defender in 2024 due to an early-season injury to James Blanck, has struggled with continuity this season.
He has missed multiple games throughout the season due to two bouts of concussion, a suspension he incurred in the Round 1 clash against Essendon, and most recently, through a hamstring injury that occurred before the bye.
Scrimshaw was running in the rehab group last week, but today was part of the backline group, working closely with defensive coach Kade Simpson.
Scrimshaw's availability, alongside Sicily's, for this weekend's game will see a selection dilemma for the Hawks, as they look to find the right balance and combination for their backline with all key defensive components available for selection.
While still at least two weeks away from returning to the playing field, Will Day continues to show positive signs in his rehabilitation from a broken navicular bone that required surgery.
The 24-year-old, who has not been seen at AFL level since the Hawks' Round 3 win against the Giants, integrated back into midfield drills with the team during the Tuesday morning session.
He has ramped up his recovery from running where he was away from the main group, to being back involved in midfield drills, including stoppages at today's session, as the Hawks eye to have Day return with enough time to build fitness before a finals tilt this season.
The return of Day to the team over the next few weeks will give Hawthorn another injection of class into the midfield, alongside 2024 Peter Crimmins Medalist Jai Newcombe, who has followed up his form last year this season.
The Hawks' main training session takes place on Thursday at Bunjil Bagora, before the squad is named for Saturday night's clash at Marvel Stadium at 6:20 pm Thursday evening.
