HAWTHORN has lost another vital defender on the eve of the 2024 season, with father-son recruit Will McCabe out for at least three months, although reigning Peter Crimmins Medalist Will Day has made good progress in his recuperation.
McCabe joined the club with choice No.19 in the November AFL Draft, but has been out for the past month due to a back ailment.
Scans indicated bone stress in McCabe’s lower back, delaying the 18-year-old’s start to his first season.
While McCabe was not anticipated to play at the senior level early this year, the injury exacerbates a difficult situation down back following last Thursday’s dreadful intra-club game at Waverley Park.
James Blanck broke his ACL and will miss the remainder of the season, while former top-ten pick Denver Grainger-Barras suffered turf toe. Grainger-Barras has undergone surgery and is anticipated to be out for up to 14 weeks.
Hawthorn signed Box Hill recruit Ethan Phillips to provide defensive covering over the weekend, ahead of the pre-season supplemental selection period deadline on Monday.
The 197cm intercept defender will take part in Friday’s match simulation against the Western Bulldogs and may make his debut in early 2024.
Day took the next step in his recovery from a stress fracture in his foot on Wednesday, taking off the moon boot for the first time in six weeks.
The South Australian has begun body weight exercises and is progressively increasing his running.
Day has been ruled out of Round 1, but the Hawks are confident that the star midfielder will be eligible for selection during the first month of the season.
Karl Amon will miss the Bulldogs game owing to soreness, but the former Port Adelaide winger is likely to participate in the second practice match against Luke Beveridge’s side on March 2 ahead of the season opening against Essendon on March 16.
