Hawthorn Faces Potential Double Injury Blow
Hawthorn may be in for a tough time as two of their key players could be sidelined due to injuries. Jack Gunston was spotted wearing a moon boot after Thursday night’s loss to Fremantle, raising concerns about his availability for upcoming matches. Star defender Tom Barrass also suffered a hamstring injury during the first half and did not return to the field.
The situation appears to be worsening, with Gunston seen leaving Optus Stadium in a moon boot. Channel 7 cameras captured the moment when Gunston was seen hobbling on his right foot as he exited the stadium.
“There’s Jack in a boot,” Hamish McLachlan said on Channel 7. “Watch this space. Hopefully it’s a quick heal.”
Gunston had an impressive performance, scoring five goals in the first half and finishing with a six-goal haul. He has been playing at a high level this season, but appeared to injure his ankle late in the game. Despite the injury, he managed to finish the match.
Moon boots are often used as a precaution and do not typically result in missed games. However, this development could signal a more serious issue, which would be a significant setback for coach Sam Mitchell.
Daisy Pearce commented on Barrass’s injury during halftime: “This is a big out. This is going to have big implications tonight and moving forward in Hawthorn’s season. They have a tough run coming up.”
Sam Mitchell Criticizes Hawthorn’s Performance
Mitchell’s team experienced a late collapse after leading by 17 points with just over seven minutes remaining. Fremantle managed to score five unanswered goals and secured a 12.16 (88) to 11.7 (73) victory.
“We knew coming here to play … that we were going to be up against it, and we were going to have to play 120 minutes,” Mitchell said in his post-match presser. “Unfortunately, 90 won’t get it done against the Dockers, and we learned that lesson. Hit us right in the face to be fair.
“We went away from a few things that we were meant to be doing across that last 15 minutes of the game. We already half-reviewed it, to be honest, about these are things that are going to cost us big games.
“We shot ourselves in the foot with the way we set the game up tonight, late in the game. We’ve talked a lot this year about being ready to play and win against the best sides, and we proved tonight that we’re not quite there.”
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Injury Concerns: Both Jack Gunston and Tom Barrass are facing potential injuries, which could impact Hawthorn’s performance in upcoming games.
- Late Collapse: Hawthorn’s lead was squandered in the final stages of the game, allowing Fremantle to make a strong comeback.
- Coach’s Reaction: Sam Mitchell expressed disappointment with the team’s performance, highlighting areas that need improvement.
Impact on Hawthorn’s Season
With the team facing a tough schedule ahead, the loss of key players could have significant consequences. The recent defeat to Fremantle serves as a wake-up call for Hawthorn, emphasizing the need for consistency and resilience in their performances.
The club will need to address the issues highlighted by Mitchell and ensure that they are prepared to compete against top-tier teams. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining how well Hawthorn can recover from this setback.
