In positive news for Hawks fans, promising draftee Denver Grainger-Barras is closing in on a return to the field, with the defender now only one to two weeks away in his rehab journey.

Grainger-Barras suffered bone bruising after hyperextending his knee in a Box Hill practice match in late March.

According to Physical Performance Manager Luke Boyd, the 19-year-old has attacked his rehab with professionalism and is reaping the rewards.

“Denver’s had a really good last couple of weeks,” Boyd said.

“He’s now started back in the ball program, he’s had two sessions with the main group, one of them being this morning in which he moved really well which is a really positive sign for Denver.

“The plan from here is that we’ll start to build up his football-based conditioning, so that when he is ready to go, he’s actually ready to perform, not just to be out there on the park.

“One thing we can say about Denver is that he is incredibly diligent with his rehab.

“As a first year player in our system, he’s just done a fantastic job right from the point of injury until now and we know he’s doing everything possible to get himself back.”

Jack Gunston continues to be monitored as he recovers from back spasms that held him out of Round 8, as the club takes a cautious approach with the star forward.

Meanwhile, Shaun Burgoyne is working hard in his recovery from an ankle injury and faces a race against the clock to prove his fitness ahead of Round 10 selection this Thursday night.

Watch the below AIA Vitality Update for further updates on Hawthorn’s injury list.

Injury list

Shaun Burgoyne - ankle - test

Jack Gunston - back spasms – TBC

Denver Grainger-Barras - knee - 1-2 weeks

Lachie Bramble - hamstring - 2-3 weeks

Will Day - ankle - 2-3 weeks

James Sicily - ACL - indefinite

Seamus Mitchell - ankle - indefinite