Hawthorn star Will Day has suffered a major injury setback, sustaining a repeat navicular bone stress fracture that could see the Hawks midfielder miss up to four months of action.
The 23-year-old missed the first six weeks of 2024 with a stress fracture in the same bone on the same foot, and has had regular scans since.
Day missed out on September action last year too after sustaining a complex collarbone injury against Richmond in Round 23, which also required surgery and impacted his pre-season.
Hawthorn have been without another midfielder in James Worpel since Opening Round due to his syndesmosis injury, however he is a chance to make his return in Gather Round. Forward Connor Macdonald has also been sidelined with syndesmosis, while prodigy Calsher Dear's timeline to return is yet to be confirmed for his recovery with a back stress fracture.
He reported foot soreness during the weekend. Day was sent for further scans, which revealed another stress-related injury to his navicular.
Surgery is required to amend the injury, meaning Day is set to be sidelined until at least Hawthorn's next bye in Round 15, but could miss as much as four months of football, hindering the blossoming talent's chances at a Brownlow tilt and Hawthorn's premiership ambitions.
Hawthorn head doctor Liam West explained the need for a procedure.
โIn this instance, surgery is required to fix the fracture,โ West said.
โAdditionally, surgery will also reduce the risk of future issues for Will during his career.โ
Executive general manager Rob McCartney said a "resilient" day will take on his recovery with determination.
โWhilst this is a bitter blow for Will, the playing group has already rallied around him to support him during this initial phase,โ McCartney said.
โWill is one of the most determined and resilient young individuals I know, and these attributes will come to the fore as he starts his rehab journey.
โWith the knowledge and expertise in our medical team, I am confident Will can return to the park before the end of the season.โ
The Hawks will now head to Gather Round to take on Port Adelaide, now again without Day, before a three-week Victorian stint against Geelong, West Coast and Richmond.
