Imagine a rising star, poised to dominate the AFL, suddenly sidelined by relentless injuries. That's the story of Hawthorn's Will Day. But there's a glimmer of hope as he returns to pre-season training with a vengeance, leaving a new coach feeling the full force of his determination.
Premierships aren't handed out in January, but the sight of Will Day tackling with the ferocity of a September final at the Kennedy Community Centre is an encouraging sign for Hawthorn. He's back, and he's making his presence known. Just ask Daniel Giansiracusa, Hawthorn's new head of development. Giansiracusa, a legend from his time at Western Bulldogs, found himself on the receiving end of a bone-jarring, lunging tackle from Day during a recent training drill. The sound of the hit, and Giansiracusa's reaction, brought laughter and excitement to everyone watching. It was a welcome reminder of Day's talent and tenacity. He hasn't copped a hit like that since his retirement in 2014.
Day's road back hasn't been easy. After the Christmas break, he was relegated to the rehab group after his 2025 season was severely limited to a mere six games. The culprit? Two bone stress injuries in his right foot, stemming from an initial injury sustained at the beginning of 2024. This meant he missed Hawthorn's promising run to the preliminary final – a heartbreaking blow considering he also missed the 2024 finals series. In fact, he's yet to experience the thrill of September football. The agony compounded when he re-injured the same troublesome foot in only his second game back last August.
Fortunately, surgery wasn't required, and the navicular bone is currently stable. But, here's where it gets controversial... Three bone stress issues in a little over eighteen months have undeniably hampered the progress of a player many tipped to be a future superstar of the midfield. Some argue that Hawthorn needs to be extra cautious with Day, potentially limiting his game time early in the season to prevent further setbacks. Others believe he needs to be unleashed to reach his full potential. What do you think? Is it better to play it safe or take a risk for a shot at glory?
After a carefully managed build-up throughout the off-season and the initial phase of pre-season training, Day was unleashed on Monday and will gradually increase his training load in preparation for Hawthorn's Opening Round clash against Greater Western Sydney on March 7. While he didn't participate in the 2 x 10-minute match simulation at the end of Monday's session, plans are in place for him to integrate into match play in the coming weeks. This will include a practice match against Geelong and an AAMI Community Series game against the Western Bulldogs in February – crucial opportunities to test his fitness and sharpness.
Hawthorn captain James Sicily also sat out the match simulation on Monday, but completed the majority of the session as he continues his recovery from shoulder reconstruction surgery in October. The 31-year-old is expected to return to full contact training after the Hawks' annual pre-season camp in Torquay later this month. This is a positive sign for the Hawks, as Sicily's leadership and on-field presence are vital to their success.
In other team news, key forward Mabior Chol has been absent from training at the start of the year due to illness. The club is hopeful he will return to full fitness soon. Father-son recruit Will McCabe is currently on a modified training program due to back soreness. The club is adopting a conservative approach, especially after he experienced stress fractures in his back last summer. First-round draft pick Cam Nairn is also undertaking light duties at the beginning of the year due to his own back concerns following the Christmas break. And this is the part most people miss... managing young players' workloads is crucial to prevent long-term injuries and ensure they reach their potential. Are clubs doing enough to protect their young stars?
Meanwhile, former North Melbourne defender Flynn Perez and ex-Docker Ethan Stanley are continuing their trials for a rookie contract ahead of the pre-season supplemental selection period deadline on February 20. Both players have reportedly impressed during their trials, and with two spots currently open on the list, they are strong contenders. Hawthorn also has the option to trial two more players between now and the deadline next month, and they remain open to inviting another player to audition for a spot. This highlights the competitive nature of AFL and the opportunities available for players to prove themselves and earn a place on a team.
So, what are your thoughts? Can Will Day stay healthy and reach his potential? Will Hawthorn make a deep finals run in 2026? And who will secure those final rookie spots? Let us know in the comments below!
