Hawthorn faces the tough challenge this week of replacing one of its best-performed players on the season, Jarman Impey.
After leaving the field in the second quarter of the side’s win over Geelong, scans later confirmed Impey will require a knee reconstruction after rupturing his ACL.
Defender Grant Birchall would pose as a clear substitute for the outgoing Impey, with Birchall being a late withdrawal from the Cats game after pulling up sore the previous week.
Hawthorn Physical Performance Manager Luke Boyd said he was hopeful Birchall would be available for selection this week.
“Birch is tracking well this week - he is progressing his loads and, at this stage, we are planning for him to play,” Boyd said on Tuesday.
“We just need to make sure he gets through training and then we will make a call later in the week.”
If Birchall was not deemed fit though, there is a number of players who have put in a strong block of form at VFL level.
Box Hill Coach Max Bailey commended Teia Miles’ 30-possession performance, describing the young utility as a “dangerous weapon” for the team.
Miles is yet to make a senior appearance in 2019 but his ability to create ball movement off the half-back line could prove beneficial in Impey’s absence.
James Cousins (27 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 goal), Jonathon Ceglar (20 disposals, 8 marks, 26 hit-outs), David Mirra (22 disposals, 13 marks, 5 rebound 50s) and Mat Walker (13 disposals, 7 marks, 5 goals) were among the other stand-outs for Box Hill.
