A blow to the Hawks’ engine room has been revealed.
Hawthorn are set to be without young midfielder Cameron Mackenzie following a hamstring injury sustained at Wednesday’s main training session.
The setback has soured the Hawks’ selection planning, with scans revealing a low-grade strain for the 20-year-old.
The former top 10 draft selection has played 20 games under Sam Mitchell in 2024, his second year in the brown and gold as an emerging piece in the Hawks’ engine room.
“While Cam will be unavailable for selection this week, we will undertake some further testing to determine his recovery timeline in the coming days,” Hawks doctor Liam West said.
“We are confident it is on the minor end of the spectrum and we will provide further updates in due course.”
The setback for Mackenzie will force the Hawks into at least one change for Friday’s elimination final against the Western Bulldogs, with star onballer Will Day still unavailable to return from a collarbone injury.
Day could be available for a semi-final if the Hawks manage a win over the Bulldogs on Friday, while Mackenzie too is no certainty for the second week of September in the early stages of his recovery.
Defender Changkuoth Jiath got through last week’s VFL final for Box Hill unscathed after overcoming a calf injury in his bid to be primed for September.
Young midfielder Josh Ward could come in for Mackenzie after being among the best for the Hawks in their loss to Williamstown, recording 25 disposals, five clearances, six tackles and a goal.
Tall defender Jai Serong, onballer Henry Hustwaite and flanker Seamus Mitchell also impressed for Box Hill.
Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs will meet at the MCG on Friday night at 7:40pm (AEST).
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