BRAD Sewell and Brent Guerra will need to pass fitness tests before being cleared to make their comebacks from injury against North Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
Midfielder, Sewell missed Hawthorn’s win over Fremantle on Saturday with a hamstring injury sustained in the Round 2 win over West Coast, while Guerra was a late withdrawal for the Club with soreness.
While Sewell’s hamstring injury is only minor, the Club is taking a cautious approach with the 29 year old who could miss a third week with the injury.
General Manager – Football Operations, James Fantasia says the Club’s medical staff want to make sure Sewell is 100 per cent fit before clearing him to return to the senior side.
“It’ll be another test for Brad this week,” Fantasia said.
“He’s getting a lot closer, but we want to make sure he’s 100 per cent ready to go.
“It’s really critical that we make sure all our hamstring type injuries are really looked after.”
Guerra didn’t travel with the team to Tasmania last Friday despite being named in the side on Thursday night.
After playing three tough opening matches against Geelong, West Coast and Collingwood, Fantasia said the Club chose not to risk the gritty defender so early in the season.
“With Brent, it was a bit about general body soreness,” Fantasia said.
“This was a perfect opportunity, where he was a bit sore so rather than risk him last week, we decided it’d be better to have a rest.”
“It’s important for the Club to be able to support those guys who have got a lot more games under their belt, that we look after them through the season.
“He’ll be a up for a test this week.”
Fantasia revealed defender Ryan Schoenmakers is in good spirits after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the win over Fremantle on Saturday.
Schoenmakers landed awkwardly after a marking contest and twisted his knee before falling to ground in pain and being carried from the field by Hawthorn trainers.
While Fantasia admits it’s a cruel blow for the young Hawk, he is confident Schoenmakers will attack his rehab with a positive mindset.
“It’s disappointing for him, but knowing the type of person he is and the way we suspect he’ll go about his rehabilitation, we’re certain he’ll do the right thing there and get back as soon as he can,” he said.
