Hawthorn captain James Sicily is expected to undergo post-season surgery on a shoulder issue that has hampered the star defender throughout 2024.
Sicily suffered a dislocated shoulder on two occasions this year, the first coming in Round 8 against the Western Bulldogs which forced him to the sidelines for the Hawks' two subsequent matches.
A further setback came six weeks later against West Coast, and while Sicily didn't miss the following week's clash against Fremantle, he was visibly limited in the air as his hampered shoulder continued to hinder his marking ability.
The Hawks noted at the time that their intercepting defender may need a few weeks to return to full fitness, with Sicily having been used as a forward in multiple matches during the midriff of the year to aid his recovery.
The 29-year-old managed to see out his side's thrilling 2024 campaign despite the concerns, with a shot on goal that could've taken the Hawks to a preliminary final managing to find the left goal post in the dying stage of Friday night's three-point loss to Port Adelaide.
Sicily was again swung forward in the final term, managing to boot 1.2 as the Hawks fell narrowly short in their bid to book a spot at the SCG next week.
Coach Sam Mitchell said after his side's finals exit that Sicily will likely require an operation on his troublesome right shoulder in a bid to get the gun backman primed for next season.
Sicily managed 22 games for the year and would earn a spot in the All-Australian squad alongside teammates Massimo D'Ambrosio and Dylan Moore, with the latter earning a spot in the selected 22-man side.
The Hawks' opening game for the 2025 season will see Mitchell's rearguard with some new personnel on either side of Sicily, with Saints free agent Josh Battle and wantaway West Coast defender Tom Barrass both seeking moves to Hawthorn this off-season.
The incoming pair will add to a strong backline for the brown and gold, who have seen second-year dasher Josh Weddle rapidly emerge into one of the best young defenders in the competition while senior figures Jarman Impey, Karl Amon, Sam Frost and Blake Hardwick continue to lead from the last line.
The Hawks will hope to have key forward Mitch Lewis back at the other end of the field midway through next season after an ACL injury curtailed his campaign in July, while the same setbacks saw Sam Butler and James Blanck sidelined in the first half of the year also.
Reigning best and fairest winner Will Day (collarbone), midfielder Cam Mackenzie and the aforementioned Frost (foot) were the only other players unavailable for selection for Friday's semi-final.
The Hawks can expect to enter 2025 close to premiership favouritism off the back of their surge in the second half of this year coupled with the additions of Battle and Barrass, the returns of Lewis and Day, and another year of development for the young list.
