Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell is anticipating a bolstered lineup for their Round 1 clash against Essendon in 12 days, with four Hawks set to return from injury, illness and rest.
Vice-captain Dylan Moore, who developed glandular fever in February, is yet to play any competitive match-simulation this preseason but was seen training with the main group last Thursday ahead of the AAMI Community Series clash with the Bulldogs.
The club has opted against playing Moore in the VFL this weekend for Box Hill, though remain confident in his availability for Round 1 with the senior group.
32-year-old homecoming Hawk Jack Gunston, teenage prodigy Josh Weddle and veteran utility Harry Morrison are the other three expected to return in less than a fortnight, with coach Sam Mitchell anticipating an improved on-field product with their return.
โ(The injury list) is emptying out a little bit. Josh Weddle, Harry Morrison, Jack Gunston and Dylan Moore, hopefully, they will all be available for Round 1,โ he told SEN Breakfast.
โIt should help. We still put 18 out there and showed some good stuff, but not consistently enough.โ
Gunston has been nursing a left MCL injury suffered in August last year which ruled him out of Brisbane's grand final run.
There is no reported injury to Josh Weddle, though he did not feature in the AAMI Community Series and is set to be fit for round one selection.
The 19-year-old signed a two-year contract extension in the off-season and has received substantial praise in the media for his game-breaking potential.
25-year-old swingman Harry Morrison copped a nasty knock to the mouth last December and was escorted to hospital, with 7 News reporter Mitch Cleary saying at the time that he would require surgery.
No updates have been documented since, but he will also be available in less than a fortnight.
These inclusions lessen Hawthorn's injury woes ahead of the season, though the list is still substantial, with Will Day, Chad Wingard, Changkouth Jiath, Denver Grainger-Barras, Seamus Mitchell, James Blanck and Will McCabe all sidelined for at least round one.
Hawthorn's season kicks off Saturday, March 16 against Essendon at the MCG.
