PREMIERSHIP Hawthorn stars Josh Gibson and Bradley Hill will need to prove their fitness at training on Thursday before being declared fit for Saturday night’s top-of-the-table clash against Sydney at the MCG.
Gibson is likely to play his first game since Round 9, when he injured his pectoral muscle against the Swans at ANZ Stadium.
Last year’s best-and-fairest winner has been back in full skills training for almost a month, while he has been able to run since three-days post-surgery nine weeks ago.
“I think he probably will (return), though he’ll need to get through training on Thursday,” General Manager – Football Operations Chris Fagan told hawthornfc.com.au on Tuesday.
“(But) so far so good, all signs are positive – fingers crossed he’s out there on Saturday night.”
Gibson will be a welcome addition to a Hawthorn defence that will need to cope with former teammate Lance Franklin on Saturday night.
The defender stood his old mate at times in the corresponding game earlier this year, giving a chop out to the undersized Kyle Cheney.
Franklin booted 2.7 in a match winning performance for the Swans that night as Hawthorn’s defence that was also missing Brian Lake was overwhelmed by a bigger and stronger Sydney forward line.
Hear from Josh Gibson on his comeback from injury.
Hill will also need to prove his fitness on Thursday after missing the last two matches with a knee complaint.
Pulled out at the last minute prior to the loss to North Melbourne in Round 16, the Hawks have missed the run of the dashing wingman, who is ranked number one at the club for inside 50s.
The speedster is a crucial player for the Hawks, whose offensive weapons in the form of his outside run and clean skills will be valuable against the Swans on Saturday night.
“He’s trained pretty well in the early part of this week but we just have to make sure everything is in place on Thursday and Friday,” Fagan said.
“We expect it will be, we hope it will be and he should take his place back in the team.”
The inclusion of the duo would place the Hawks almost at full strength, with Cyril Rioli (hamstring) and Brad Sewell (hamstring) the only other senior players still unavailable through injury, while Brian Lake is suspended.
Rioli is on track to return before the finals, while Brad Sewell could be ready as early as next week.
Lake has a further three matches to serve on his suspension.
