Hawthorn has received a massive boost on the eve of the 2025 AFL finals series, with young defender Josh Weddle cleared to return from a back injury.
The 21-year-old underwent his final scans on Monday morning to determine whether a stress fracture would end his season.
Instead, the news was all positive, paving the way for his comeback just in time for the Hawks' sudden-death finals campaign.
The news couldn't come at a better time for Hawthorn, who are looking to bounce back after a string of narrow defeats to premiership contenders.
In his absence, Hawthorn has dropped three close away games to premiership contenders Fremantle, Adelaide and Brisbane – all by less than three goals, since his last appearance in Round 16 against the Kangaroos.
With an elimination final on the horizon – likely against either GWS at Engie Stadium or Fremantle at Optus Stadium – Weddle's return injects fresh energy and much-needed defensive half speed into the Hawks' line-up.
The recently named AFL Players' 22Under22 representative is expected to build match conditioning this weekend, lining up for Box Hill in their VFL qualifying final against Southport at Fenjui Stadium, in a hit-out which would prepare him for a potential AFL recall the following week.
Hawthorn's medical team took a cautious approach with Weddle's recovery, having previously managed similar stress fractures in emerging talls Calsher Dear and Will McCabe.
Weddle spent the early stages of his rehab walking the steps of Waverley Park to a metronome while his teammates trained on-field, before gradually being reintegrated into full training over the past month.
Two weeks ago, he began running alongside fellow injured Hawk Harry Morrison, and last week completed all drills and match simulation under the watchful eye of High Performance boss Peter Burge and club doctor Liam West.
Now ready to play, Weddle's blend of speed, aerial ability and daring ball use could prove decisive in Hawthorn's finals campaign – as the Hawks chase what they hope will be a 14th premiership.
