The premiers will be without at least three premiership players for the opening month of the 2016 season.

Bradley Hill will miss up to six weeks with a wrist injury sustained at training earlier this week, while Matt Spangher (calf) and Jarryd Roughead (knee) are also set for extended stints on the sidelines.

In more positive news, Liam Shiels could be back as early as Round 2. The midfielder fractured his wrist in the Hawks final NAB Challenge match but has made good progress with his recovery.

Jack Fitzpatrick is still two to three weeks away from returning after suffering a knee injury in Hawthorn’s NAB challenge loss to Richmond.

Injury list: Round 1

Shiels (wrist): 1-2 weeks

Hill (wrist): 6 weeks

Fitzpatrick (knee): 2-3 weeks

Spangher (calf): 4 weeks

Roughead (knee): 10-12 weeks

Woodward (knee): indefinite