HAWTHORN defender Brent Guerra says he ruled himself out of contention to play in the Grand Final because he didn't want to be a distraction for his teammates and coaches.
Guerra, who was a member of the Hawks' 2008 premiership team, suffered a left hamstring injury during the club's victory over West Coast in round 23.
Although he was expected to be given all week to prove his fitness for the decider, he made the call himself on Monday.
"I was able to do running over the last week or so," Guerra explained on Wednesday.
"I was about 85 per cent, but to take myself to 100 per cent, I just couldn't do it.
"It was a tendon (injury) - a bit similar to what Josh Gibson did a couple of years ago.
"I could’ve had surgery, but we tried a few different things and unfortunately it didn't come up.
"I won't need surgery now. I'll have a full pre-season to recover from it and hopefully I'll be up and running by the start of pre-season."
Guerra said telling his teammates that he wouldn't be playing on Saturday was "probably one of the hardest things I've had to do.
"It was definitely tough getting up in front of your best mates and telling them you won't be out there on that Grand Final day.
"It just wasn't feeling right at the time. I'm very disappointed, but it's the right thing for the side.
"It's been a tough week, no doubt about it. I've had my moments, but … it's the best thing for the team and hopefully they can go out and have a win on the weekend.
"The boys don’t need to worry about if I'm going to play or not.
"They just need to focus on this weekend and go out and do their job, and that's exactly why I came out early in the week and said I wasn't right."
Guerra insists that he will feel part of the team on Saturday.
"I played 19 games this year," he said.
"It's going to be tough watching them if they get that win on the weekend, but no doubt I'll still feel part of it.
"If 'Clarko' wants me in the coach's box, I'll get in the coach's box, but … we'll work that out on the weekend."
The upside for Guerra is that he's been guaranteed at least one more season at Hawthorn.
"I signed a one-year contract a couple of weeks ago," he said.
"I think at the age of 30 you don’t go signing for any more than one.
"I was lucky enough to get the one, and hopefully I can have a good year next year and a bit of success."
Adam McNicol is an AFL Media reporter. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_AdamMcNicol
Hawthorn will hold its final open training session at Waverley Park on Thursday from 11am. The club advises there will be no parking in the Waverley precinct. Shuttle buses will run from Monash University and Glen Waverley station. For more information, visit hawthornfc.com.au/finals
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