During Thursday’s intra-club match, Hawthorn faced significant setbacks as James Blank suffered a severe ACL injury and Changkuoth Jiath endured a serious hamstring injury.
This adds to the growing list of injured players at Waverley Park, with Dylan Moore sidelined due to glandular fever and Will Day nursing a foot injury. These absences leave several key players unavailable for the start of the season under coach Sam Mitchell’s leadership.
In a year where expectations were high for Hawthorn to bounce back from their 16th-placed finish in 2023, concerns have been raised about how these injuries might alter the team’s trajectory. Dual premiership player David King expressed his sympathy for the club, stating that the recent injuries “change the landscape” for Hawthorn’s prospects in 2024.
King highlighted the significance of players like Will Day and Changkuoth Jiath, whose injuries could potentially disrupt the team’s performance. Jiath’s history of injury challenges, coupled with Blank’s ACL tear during the same session, has cast a shadow over Hawthorn’s upcoming season.
Moreover, off-field setbacks, such as coach Sam Mitchell’s battle with pneumonia during the off-season, have added to the club’s challenges. With two practice games against the Western Bulldogs lined up in the next fortnight before their season opener against Essendon in Round 1 on March 16, Hawthorn will be hoping to avoid further setbacks.
Kane Cornes, a former Port Adelaide player, also acknowledged the impact of these pre-season injuries on Hawthorn’s outlook for the year. He emphasized the loss of key players like Moore and Day, whose contributions to the team cannot be understated.
Despite the setbacks, Cornes suggested that Hawthorn’s success should not solely be measured by their win-loss record, indicating that missing finals this year may not necessarily be a disaster for the rebuilding club.
In agreement, David King suggested that Hawthorn could still make significant progress even if they win fewer games than in 2023. He emphasized the importance of considering factors beyond just win-loss statistics when evaluating a team’s progress and potential for improvement.
Overall, Hawthorn faces a challenging start to the 2024 season due to injuries and off-field setbacks. However, there remains optimism about the club’s long-term trajectory and rebuilding efforts under coach Sam Mitchell’s leadership.
