In their AFL elimination final matchup with the Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn will be missing Will Day due to the 23-year-old’s inability to recover from a collarbone injury in time. After sustaining the injury in Round 23 two weeks ago, the Hawks had been optimistic that Day would be back for Friday night’s game.
However, the team announced on Saturday that Day will not be available for the match against the Bulldogs. If they advance, they hope to see Day return in the second week of the playoffs. Head physician at Hawthorn, Liam West, stated on Saturday that Will is undoubtedly getting better. “He has been able to resume running and has been training over the past week,” West added.
However, Will is still not functioning at a level that would allow him to resume full-time skill training. We regretfully know that he won’t be able to accomplish this in time to be considered for selection the following week due to his particular injury. Next week, we’re going to continue Will’s rehabilitation in the hopes that, should things go well, he could be ready for the second week of finals.”
The Bulldogs have a lingering injury concern of their own, with midfielder Adam Treloar battling a calf complaint. The All-Australian player has stated he’s confident he’ll be fit for the elimination final, but played with a tight calf against Greater Western Sydney in round 24. Scans cleared Treloar of a muscle strain, but the 31-year-old missed the Bulldogs’ training session at Whitten Oval last Thursday.
AFL reschedules women’s game to avoid clash with men’s final
The Western Bulldogs’ AFLW match in round two will now take place on a new day, which the AFL has opted to combine with the men’s elimination final in an unprecedented doubleheader. When the men’s final versus Hawthorn and the women’s match against Port Adelaide were originally scheduled to coincide, the Bulldogs were incensed.
But next Friday night’s AFLW match will now take place at the MCG at 4:30 p.m., preceding the men’s match, rather than at Whitten Oval. At 7:40 p.m., the sold-out Bulldogs vs. Hawks AFL elimination final is scheduled to begin, with over 90,000 spectators anticipated.
“A special set of circumstances were presented to us,” AFL football executive Laura Kane stated. “After talking with the Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, the MCG, and our broadcast partners, everyone agreed that, with the Western Bulldogs playing in both games, we should aim to maximise the number of AFLW spectators.
“We’re encouraging everyone who has a ticket to Friday’s AFLW matchup between the Bulldogs and the Power to arrive at the stadium early and enjoy the action. I would want to express my gratitude to everyone involved in getting this done so swiftly on behalf of the whole AFL staff.”
Fans who bought tickets for the AFLW game will get a new ticket for the MCG doubleheader at no additional cost, according to the AFL. “A number of tickets” to the doubleheader have also been distributed to AFLW club members.
The AFL’s decision was welcomed by the Bulldogs. “Our priority is to ensure that our members and fans have the most memorable experience possible, and this historic double-header will give them a unique opportunity to enjoy a feast of Bulldogs footy on a Friday night,” the club stated in a statement issued on Friday.
“We appreciate the myriad considerations that fixturing presents and would like to thank the AFL for acknowledging the challenges with the original scheduling and working with all of its stakeholders … to ensure the best possible outcome for our members and fans.”
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