Hawthorn has made two changes to its Round 8 team set to face the Swans.
Ricky Henderson is one of the two exclusions, with the midfielder sustaining a knee injury during Hawthorn’s Round 7 loss.
According to GM-Football Graham Wright, Henderson has decided to return to Melbourne to complete his rehab period, in order to spend time with his young family.
“Ricky pulled up sore following Sunday’s game, with scans revealing a tear to his meniscus," Wright said.
“Given he is expected to be out of action for at least four to six weeks, he’ll return home to spend time with his wife and two young kids, with the intention of re-joining the hub at a later date.
“We are fully supportive of Ricky’s decision and understand the unique challenges facing all players and staff this season.
“The club will remain in close contact with Ricky as he continues his rehab in Melbourne.”
On an exciting note, Keegan Brooksby is set to make his brown and gold debut this Saturday.
Brooksby’s story is one of true resilience; after stints with both Gold Coast and West Coast, and a season captaining South Adelaide in the SANFL sandwiched in between, the ruckman/utility received an opportunity to continue his AFL career at Hawthorn via the Supplementary Selection Period in March this year.
On Saturday, 1063 days after his last senior appearance, Brooksby will play his 15th AFL game.
“We’re really pleased for Keegan,” Wright said.
“He’s slotted seamlessly into our program, and has worked really hard over the last few months to earn his opportunity.
“He has been among the best performers in our recent scratch matches, so we’re really excited to see what he can produce when he gets another crack at AFL level this weekend.”
Meanwhile, Jack Scrimshaw returns to the line up having recovered from an ankle injury sustained in Round 6, while Tim O’Brien will sit out with an ankle injury of his own.
Hawthorn will head to SCG this Saturday to take on the Swans, with high hopes of bringing an end to a three-game losing streak.
Following the clash, the Hawks will board a plane bound for Perth, where they will remain for the next four rounds of the 2020 season.
ROUND 8 TEAM
Sydney v Hawthorn
Saturday 25 July, 3.35pm
SCG
B: Blake Hardwick, James Frawley, James Sicily
HB: Will Day, Sam Frost, Jack Scrimshaw
C: Tom Scully, Jaeger O’Meara, Isaac Smith
HF: Jack Gunston, Keegan Brooksby, Chad Wingard
F: Darren Minchington, Mitch Lewis, Harry Morrison
R: Ben McEvoy, James Worpel, Tom Mitchell
Int: Shaun Burgoyne, Ben Stratton, Liam Shiels, Josh Morris
Emer: Michael Hartley, Conor Glass, Oliver Hanrahan, Paul Puopolo
In: Brooksby, Scrimshaw
Out: O’Brien (ankle), Henderson (knee)
