Conor Nash Hawthorn will be anxiously hoping that midfielder Conor Nash will have sufficient time to recuperate from a corked quad that he sustained during Saturday’s clash against North Melbourne. Nash, who was a pivotal figure in the midfield, was forced to leave the field in the latter part of the third quarter following a heavy tackle from Kangaroos ruckman Tristan Xerri. In this tackle, Xerri’s knee collided forcefully with Nash’s thigh, resulting in the injury.

The Irish recruit struggled to regain his footing after the incident, and moments later, he exited the field to receive medical attention. Despite initially returning to the game, Nash was eventually substituted out as a precautionary measure to prevent any potential exacerbation of his injury. The Hawks opted for a cautious approach, bringing in veteran Luke Breust as his replacement.

Current indications are that Nash’s injury might not sideline him for an extended period. The timing of the pre-finals bye, which falls before Hawthorn’s opening game of the finals series, could be advantageous in ensuring Nash’s readiness for the crucial matches ahead.

Hawthorn’s coach, Sam Mitchell, provided insights into the decision-making process following the game. He noted that the state of the match at the time Nash was injured influenced their choice. With the Hawks holding a comfortable lead, it was more feasible to bring Breust into the game and conserve Nash for the upcoming finals.

Mitchell explained, “Given the situation, with us having a decent lead at that point and the need to give Luke Breust some game time, it made the decision to substitute Nash out of the game more straightforward. Nash had taken a significant knock and was struggling to move effectively. He’s a crucial player for us, so once we had him out of the game, it allowed us to bring in Breust. Our goal is to ensure we have a fully fit squad as we approach the finals.”

As the Hawks prepare for their first final appearance since 2018, there are additional injury concerns to address. Reigning best and fairest winner Will Day is currently sidelined due to a shoulder issue, and his return date remains uncertain. Day is scheduled for further evaluation in the coming week to determine his availability for the finals.

Meanwhile, defender Changkuoth Jiath, who is dealing with a calf problem, is expected to be fit for the finals. Small forward Nick Watson, who also suffered a calf complaint during the game against North Melbourne, managed to return to play, which is a positive sign for the team’s overall readiness.

The uncertainty surrounding their first opponent in the finals will only be resolved once the results of Sunday’s games are finalized. This final result will determine Hawthorn’s match-up and set the stage for their return to the finals series.

In summary, Hawthorn is cautiously optimistic about Conor Nash’s recovery, supported by the timing of the pre-finals break. With other key players like Will Day and Changkuoth Jiath also under the injury microscope, the team is preparing diligently to ensure they enter the finals in the best possible shape.