The potential return of Hawthorn best and fairest winner Will Day remains unknown to the Hawks, who kept their season alive on Friday night with a 37-point win over the Western Bulldogs in an elimination final.
Thankfully, Sam Mitchell's men got through the dominant display unscathed, with the Hawks able to rest veteran forward Jack Gunston for the final term and give Luke Breust a late run via their tactical sub change.
Now progressing to a semi-final clash with Port Adelaide in South Australia next week, all eyes turn to the availability of Day, who has been sidelined since Round 23 due to a collarbone injury.
The Hawks ruled the 2023 Peter Crimmins Medal winner out of this week's must-win matchup early into the lead-up, noting Day remains some chance to play in week two of September if the club was successful against the Dogs.
With Hawthorn's season alive, so are Day's chances of a return against the Power, however Mitchell is still unsure if the 23-year-old will be ready in time for the semi-final, which is likely to take place on Friday night.
"[It's] unknown," Mitchell said of whether Day will be available next week. "He's not doing any contact at this stage. We'll talk to the medical guys.
"Obviously he was pleased that we won because it gives him a chance, doesn't it?
"We will wait and see. We'll have some training Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, so we'll find out around that time."
An all-round team effort against the Bulldogs will make any selection moves difficult to land on for Mitchell, who made just the sole change for this week's contest after midfielder Cameron Mackenzie suffered a low-grade hamstring strain.
That injury places the young Hawk in doubt again for the club's upcoming contest, with fellow onballer Josh Ward a chance to hold his place after collecting 22 disposals, nine tackles and five clearances against the Western Bulldogs.
Day's potential return could squeeze the former Pick 6 selection back out of the side, while Finn Maginness is another who could make way for the gun ball-winner.
The trip to Adelaide will see the aforementioned Breust bring up game 300 in the brown and gold, a milestone for the recently re-signed sharpshooter that his coach thought might've been unlikely.
"I knew it was on the cards. I knew that if he played every week he'd get there," the Hawks coach said.
"He's got a whole 'nother year in front of him now. He's got plenty of time."
Details for next week's semi-finals action will be confirmed this weekend, awaiting results of Saturday's matches.
