Hawthorn’s Mitch Lewis has hit a roadblock in his recovery from a sprained ACL.
While the key forward is recovering well from that initial injury – which he was initially due to return from in Round 4 or 5 - he is now expected to miss at least another fortnight due to an issue with his other knee.
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell didn’t elaborate on the injury but stated at a press conference on Wednesday that his other knee was now “causing him a little bit of trouble”.
SEN’s Sam Edmund says Lewis will now not return until at least Round 7 or 8.
“I want to start at Hawthorn where news has come out that there’s a delay to Mitch Lewis’ return,” Edmund said on SEN Afternoons.
“The key forward had been listed as another one to two weeks away, he had that ACL sprain of course that’s bothered him for some time.
“But speaking today, coach Sam Mitchell admitted that while that knee was coming good, it’s actually Lewis’ other one (knee) that’s giving him grief.
“He wasn’t given a chance to elaborate on that … but he did say that Mitch Lewis now wasn’t expected to return until Round 7 to 8 at the earliest.”
With Lewis now out for more time than expected, Edmund says the Hawks will need to find other avenues to goal as Chad Wingard is likely to return either this week or next.
“That is a real concern for Hawthorn,” Edmund said.
“That’s given they’re just scrambling for consistent avenues to goal.
“They’ve kicked 24 goals in three games, Tyler Brockman was a nice sight on the weekend, but they’ve used Jai Newcombe as a lead-up forward at times.
“They’re hoping Chad Wingard will return on Easter Monday from a calf.
“It’ll be interesting to see how they line up Hawthorn and what happens with Mitch Lewis for the rest of the season.”
Hawthorn’s next match comes against Geelong on Easter Monday at the MCG.
They then face the Giants away and Crows in Launceston before Lewis may be a chance to return against the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium in Round 7.