Hawthorn have confirmed midfielder Will Day will miss the start of the 2024 season as he continues to recover from a foot injury.
Day is currently nursing a stress fracture in his foot and remains in a moon boot just over a month out from the club's Round 1 bout with Essendon.
The reigning Peter Crimmins Medal winner has taken on a number of off-field roles during his pre-season absence, with his recovery timeline still unclear.
Speaking toย AFL Media,ย Hawks coach Sam Mitchell confirmed a line has been put through Day's chances of facing the Bombers, with an early season return hopeful.
"He'll miss the start of the season. How far into it that is I'm not exactly sure but he certainly won't be available for round one unfortunately," the Hawks coach revealed.
"Unfortunatelyย it will be a little while until he has that impact on the field.
"... He's still in the boot at the moment and we know he's been ruled out of round one. He's saying 'OK, round one, so can I play round two?' But it's one of those injuries where you scan them every couple of weeks and see how much development he's had.
"So at the moment he's out of round one but not sure how long at this stage."
Adding to Day's absence could be young defensive pair Seamus Mitchell and Bailey Macdonald, who recently suffered jaw and leg setbacks respectively that have placed some doubt over their Round 1 chances.
The Hawks will be without forward Chad Wingard, who is scheduled to miss the majority of the 2024 season with an Achilles injury sustained last year.
Hawthorn are set to meet with the Western Bulldogs on two occasions during the pre-season as part of their practice match schedule.
The club's season-opening game against Essendon will take place at the MCG on Saturday, March 16.
