HAWTHORN defender Grant Birchall is expected to miss 3-4 weeks after sustaining a fractured jaw in yesterday’s loss to Adelaide.
The four-time premiership Hawk suffered the injury midway through the opening quarter of Saturday’s game and will undergo surgery today.
Match Report: Round 2 v Adelaide
GM – Football Operations Jason Burt said it was disappointing news for Birchall and the Hawks.
“Grant had scans last night which unfortunately confirmed a fracture of the jaw,” said Burt.
“He will have surgery today and we will have a better idea on his timeline for return following that. At this stage it is likely to be somewhere between 3-4 weeks.
“It’s a disappointing result for Grant so early in the season but he’ll be doing everything he can to return to the field as soon as possible.”