The Hawthorn Football Club has been compelled to make a change to their lineup ahead of their upcoming clash against Geelong on Saturday.
Jack Ginnivan, the forward for Hawthorn, will be absent from Sunday’s match against Geelong due to a leg injury he is currently managing.
Ginnivan’s likelihood of missing Round 17 was flagged earlier in the week prior to the team selection, although he was initially included in the squad by Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell despite ongoing concerns about his fitness.
However, Hawthorn has decided to withdraw the dynamic forward from their 23-man squad that is set to face Geelong, as he continues to recover from a minor hairline crack in his leg.
Fortunately, Ginnivan’s injury is not anticipated to keep him sidelined for an extended period.
“Scans have revealed that Jack has sustained a minor hairline crack in his leg following an incident last Sunday,” stated Hawthorn’s team doctor Liam West in an update provided by the club.
“Given the fracture is on the less severe end of the spectrum, we are optimistic that Jack will be back playing in the coming rounds. We will monitor his progress closely and provide further updates as necessary.”
In place of Ginnivan, Hawthorn has named defender Seamus Mitchell in their finalized 23-man lineup.
This setback compounds injury worries for Hawthorn, as captain James Sicily continues to recover from a shoulder injury and Calsher Dear remains sidelined due to an undisclosed issue, ruling both players out of this weekend’s fixture.
On a more positive note, Hawthorn will welcome back key forward Mitch Lewis, who has successfully overcome a recent knee concern, and veteran Luke Breust, who returns to the lineup after being managed in previous matches.
Hawthorn is scheduled to face Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday, with the match kicking off at 4:35 pm (AEST).
The absence of Ginnivan, combined with the ongoing injury challenges faced by other key players, presents a significant test for Hawthorn as they strive to secure a positive result against Geelong. As the team navigates these challenges, the return of Lewis and Breust provides a boost to their lineup, offering hope for a competitive showing in this critical matchup.