Hawthorn’s AFL flag bid has taken a significant hit with the news that both defender Sam Frost and star midfielder Will Day will miss Friday night’s semi-final against Port Adelaide.
Frost, who played a crucial role in Hawthorn’s 37-point elimination final victory over the Western Bulldogs, will be sidelined for the rest of the season due to a bone stress injury in his foot. He was seen limping off the field late in the last quarter of that game, and scans have confirmed the severity of the injury.
Day, meanwhile, is struggling to overcome a collarbone injury sustained in Round 23. Despite efforts to recover, he will also miss the clash against Port Adelaide.
These absences are a blow to the Hawks’ hopes as they prepare for the semi-final, especially given Frost’s defensive contributions and Day’s midfield impact. The team will need to adjust their plans and rely on other players stepping up to fill these key roles.
The news about Sam Day’s injury is a significant blow for Hawthorn as they continue their 2024 finals campaign. Hawks doctor Liam West confirmed on Monday that Day has sustained a bone stress injury in his foot, ruling him out for the rest of the finals series. Day will be immobilized in a moon boot while the medical team evaluates his recovery timeline.
“Unfortunately, the scans have confirmed that Sam has a bone stress injury in his foot, and given his specific injury he will not be able to take any further part in our 2024 finals campaign,” Dr. West said. “Sam will spend the next period offloading in a moon boot whilst we continue to assess him to determine a more accurate recovery timeline.”
Originally, Day was expected to return for the game against the Bulldogs, but his recovery has not progressed as hoped. Additionally, midfielder Cam Mackenzie is also a concern after injuring his hamstring in training, which ruled him out of the Bulldogs match and casts doubt on his availability for the upcoming clash against Port Adelaide. The Hawks will need to adjust their strategy and rely on their depth to navigate these challenges as they aim to advance further in the finals.
Sam Frost believes Hawthorn can win the flag
Despite the injury setbacks, Hawthorn’s recent dominant 37-point win over the Western Bulldogs has fueled confidence within the team. This victory is a testament to their remarkable turnaround from a challenging 0-5 start to the season.
“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves—there’s still a lot of football to be played. But the belief in the group is that we can go all the way. We’re not just here to make up the numbers,” Frost told AAP. “We had to win many tight games late in the year just to reach this point, so now that we’re here, we’re determined to go as far as we can.”
Reflecting on their earlier defeat to Port Adelaide, where they led by 41 points but lost by a point in the final moments, Frost noted it was a valuable learning experience. “We went away from what we’re good at, and it was a good lesson in finishing games properly without trying to save them too early,” he said. “We’ve reviewed that game and learned a lot. We’re now looking forward to being in a similar position at three-quarter-time and not making the same mistake.”
Heading into this weekend’s clash with Port Adelaide, Hawthorn is brimming with confidence, while Port Adelaide faces uncertainty following their heavy 84-point loss to Geelong. The winner will advance to a preliminary final against minor premiers Sydney at the SCG.
Frost is excited about the challenge ahead. “Port Adelaide is a great team and will be looking to bounce back from their tough loss. If we can get the win, it would be an incredible redemption story for us,” he said. “Our group thrives in hostile environments. We love the energy it brings and aren’t worried about that aspect at all.”
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