HAWTHORN could be bolstered by the inclusion of up to four players for Friday night’s Qualifying Final against Sydney at the MCG.
While the Hawks will be without star forward Lance Franklin through suspension, the Club is in a healthy position on the injury front, with Cyril Rioli, Max Bailey, Brent Guerra and Liam Shiels all expected to be available.
Rioli missed Friday night’s win over the Swans at ANZ Stadium after rolling his ankle against the Kangaroos the previous week, but has training on Monday and Tuesday and is expected to return for the Hawks.
“Cyril had a training run this morning and provided he pulls up well from that, we expect he’ll be there and available for selection,” Head of Coaching and Development, Chris Fagan told hawthornfc.com.au
Shiels was also a victim of an ankle injury against the Kangaroos – subbed out early in the second term after his ankle was caught under an opponent in a tackle.
While Coach Alastair Clarkson and the Club initially feared the worst given he’d already missed almost two months with a similar injury, Shiels will be available for the Qualifying Final.
“He’s been back on the track for the last couple of sessions and is putting his hand right up for selection,” Fagan said of Shiels on Tuesday.
The news is the same for Guerra and Max Bailey who also missed the final match of the home and away season last Friday night with back and general soreness respectively.
Guerra was ruled on at selection last Thursday night, with Fagan revealing he experienced back spasms late last week and was ruled out of the match for precautionary reasons.
He was rested and will be fit for Friday night.
“Brent got a bit of a back spasm late last week and that was the only reason he didn’t play,” he said.
“He was fine by the time we played on Friday night but again it was precautionary and he trained well this morning.”
The Hawks number one ruckman was also given a break last weekend and is fresh and raring to go on Friday night against Sydney Swans ruckmen Shane Mumford and Mike Pyke.
“He trained well this morning – it was precautionary with Max,” Fagan said.
“The hard deck at Etihad leaves him a bit sore at times so we gave him the week off and he’s freshened right up.”