A key Hawthorn figure has cast doubt about whether Will Day will build back to the game time he played prior to his shoulder injury.
During his Peter Crimmins Medal-winning 2023 season, he, like most top echelon midfielders played more than 80 per cent game time.
He has not passed 70 per cent time on ground as the Hawks manage his return, aware of his significance to a flag tilt this year.
“It will keep going up as he keeps progressing his fitness, but whether it gets to the level it was at, that's a discussion for us going forward,” Hawthorn midfield coach David MacKay told Zero Hanger.
“Whether we want him at that level versus dropping it back a bit because he doesn't need great time on ground to have impact, that's one of his great assets. It's an ongoing discussion– we're not making any big jumps with him and that's been something which has been carefully planned.”
Day has averaged 21 disposals and six tackles despite the limited game time, averaging just 65 per cent time on ground across the three games, with his ability to impact the game in different ways part of the reason Hawthorn has been able to manage him well.
“I think his level of competitiveness around the ball – it drives the intensity we're after in there,” MacKay said.
“We see what he does with ball in hand but it's more what he does without the ball in terms of his presence.
“He's elite defensively at the ball and away from the ball so he provides a lot. It's another threat we can put in there which makes us harder to deal with and others to slip under the radar of our oppo as well.”
Holding his minutes back also underlines the increased confidence Hawthorn has in its midfield group which, after failing to secure Zach Merrett in last year's trade period, was questioned for its star power and depth.
Jai Newcombe has thrived with the captaincy, Conor Nash has established himself as one of the club's most important players, while Cam McKenzie's defensive application and Josh Ward's consistency have grown. Connor MacDonald has also thrived with increased midfield time and adds important running power.
The development of the players around Newcombe has been expedited by Day's absence given the responsibility they have needed to carry.
“We're not relying on one or two players now. They all have good strengths they bring to the table, it's just a matter of getting the right mix and finding the right balance,” MacKay said.
“I think that is something that has improved as the year has gone on, finding the right balance – the inside, the outside, the stoppage, transition – and now adding Will back in complements everyone well.”
