STAR full forward Lance Franklin will face a fitness test at the Hawks’ final training session before a decision on his availability is made.
Franklin has missed Hawthorn’s last three matches after injuring his hamstring against Greater Western Sydney in Round 15.
Hawthorn General Manager - Football Operations, Mark Evans says that while the Coleman Medal leader’s rehabilitation is progressing, a final decision on whether he’ll face the Cats at the MCG on Friday night won’t be made until Thursday afternoon.
“He’s progressing pretty well,” Evans said.
“He’s got his final test tomorrow to see where he gets up to.
“We’ll make that call (on his availability) tomorrow.”
Despite being subbed out of the game at three-quarter time in Friday night’s 94-point win over Essendon, skipper Luke Hodge has “pulled up very well” from his first AFL match since Round 6.
In a stunning return, Hodge booted five goals, gathered 16 disposals and was one of the Hawks’ best in the stunning win over the arch rivals.
“He (Hodge) played about 80 minutes of the game and pulled up really well,” Evans said.
“He was pleased that the soreness was primarily muscles that hadn’t run at that intensity for a little while.”
Ruckman David Hale is expected to be fit for the blockbuster against Geelong after being a late withdrawal last week.
Hale bruised his foot in the opening term against the Magpies in Round 17, and despite being given every opportunity to recover, the Club decided to err on the side of caution.
“(He) he kicked someone in the knee and that bruised up a little bit,” Evans said.
“We gave him every opportunity to get to the line, but we’d expect him to be right for this week.”
In more good news for the Hawks, injury-plagued midfielder Xavier Ellis made a successful return to football for VFL affiliate Box Hill on Saturday.
Despite being beaten by Werribee, Ellis gathered 17 disposals and six clearances in a solid first outing
“He played really well in the second half of that game,” Evans said.
“Hopefully he can string a few games together and really put some pressure on selection at AFL level.”
Kate Salemme is a member of Hawthorn Football Club’s Digital media team reporting exclusively for hawthornfc.com.au from the Ricoh Centre.
Injury list
Andrew Boseley (shoulder) - season
Jarrad Boumann (hand) - TBC
Amos Frank (calf) - 1 week
Lance Franklin (hamstring) - test
Sam Grimley (finger) - 1 week
Michael Osborne (knee) - season
Derick Wanganeen (hamstring) - 1 week
Alex Woodward (knee) - season
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