JACK Gunston could make a surprise return for the Hawks in Sunday’s blockbuster against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium.
The star Hawthorn forward was expected to miss up to three weeks with a knee injury but GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan revealed to hawthornfc.com.au on Tuesday he could make a comeback ahead of schedule.
Gunston trained with the Hawks on Monday and again on Tuesday in a bid to prove his fitness for the blockbuster clash.
“Jack was meant to miss two or three weeks but he’s improved more rapidly than we probably thought he actually would,” Fagan told hawthornfc.com.au
“He’s been able to move around quite well this week. We’ll see how he is later in the week.
“There is some chance he might be able to take the field on Sunday against Fremantle.”
Gunston, who has kicked 44 goals this season in another outstanding year would be an important inclusion for the Hawks who have lost Jarryd Roughead to suspension.
Roughead accepted a one-match ban on Tuesday morning for tripping Melbourne’s Dom Tyson.
In more good news for the Hawks, skipper Luke Hodge is expected to face Fremantle despite being subbed out of the win over Melbourne on Saturday.
Hodge copped a heavy knock from Melbourne’s Mark Jamar that saw him subbed out of the game at the start of the last quarter.
“(The sub) was about trying to give him a bit of a rest, he’s had a big program this year,” Fagan said.
“He trained this morning and will train again on Thursday – it will take a lot for ‘Hodgey’ to not turn up and play on the weekend.”
Fagan also poured cold water on the possible omission of superboot Matt Suckling due to illness.
The left footer has been struck down by the flu early this week but will take his place against the Dockers on Sunday after training with his teammates on Tuesday.
“He was a bit ‘fluey’ yesterday but the doctors have jumped on it pretty quickly and he’s bounced back this morning and was able to get out there (at training) and participate,” Fagan said.
“I wouldn’t think there’d be any drama around Matthew this week.”
Veteran midfielder Brad Sewell could also return after making a successful comeback in the VFL on Sunday.
