‘Carnage’: Hawthorn intra-club turns into ‘horror session’

A pair of Hawks suffered serious injuries in an intraclub game as an untimely diagnosis threatens another star’s start to the season.

Hawthorn forward Dylan Moore is set to miss the start of the season after he was diagnosed with glandular fever. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images

Hawthorn is facing an injury crisis a month out from its season opener and could lose James Blanck for the whole year after Thursday’s intraclub game went horribly wrong for the key defender.

Blanck will await the results of a scan after suffering a suspected ACL tear in the second half of the match, while a despondent Changkuoth Jiath limped off the field with a hamstring injury after repeat injuries cruelled his 2023 season.

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The injuries came after Hawthorn also revealed before the match that vice-captain Dylan Moore had been diagnosed with glandular fever, which will keep him sidelined for at least one month.

The Hawks said Moore would be “given every chance” to play against the Bombers on March 16, but have already ruled out reigning best and fairest Will Day, who remains in a moon boot due to a foot stress fracture discovered last month.

James Blanck appeared to suffer a serious knee injury in the second half of Hawthorn’s intraclub game at Waverley Park on Thursday. Picture: Michael Klein

“In extreme pain, being carried off now. Carnage at Waverley Park,” 9 News Melbourne reporter Josh Dawe wrote on X.

North Melbourne legend David King said on SEN radio it was a “horror session” for the Hawks.

Hawthorn assistant coach David Hale said the club hoped the injuries to Blanck and Jiath during the intraclub game were on the “minor end of the scale”.

He said Blanck’s incident, which left the 23-year-old in significant pain, had a “flattening” effect on his teammates and the quality of the match.

“It was a bit flattening, the third period we changed teams, and that period of time I think everyone was thinking in the back of their mind about those two, which is always hard in a footy sense,” Hale said.

“It took a little bit of time to get them going again, and then that last quarter we saw a bit more of the footy we were after.

“It’s always hard when someone you know and (are) pretty close to gets injured in that situation.”

Jiath’s latest setback comes after he was sent to Qatar for a medical assessment over the Christmas break after calf and Achilles injuries kept him to only eight games.

“It’s frustrating for CJ – he’s done plenty right to get himself into the position he was in today, he’s had a great pre-season,” Hale said.

Dylan Moore will be ‘given every chance’ to play round 1, but the Hawks have ruled him out for at least a month and their clash against the Bombers is on March 16. Picture: Michael Klein

“He’s a great kid, he’s come back in good nick and hopefully it’s not too long for him.”

Hawthorn head doctor Liam West said Moore could still play round 1 but his recovery would be cautiously managed.

The 24-year-old was set to spend more time up the ground in Day’s absence, but opportunities could now fall to second-year midfielders Cam Mackenzie and Henry Hustwaite to begin the season in the senior side.

“We will ensure Dylan is managed safely according to his symptoms over the next few weeks before we map out his return to play timeline,” West said.

“We don’t want to rush Dylan back, but we are hopeful he can bounce back quickly and return to training in the lead up to the start of the season.”

Hawks lock away draft steal until 2026

It comes after the Hawks secured the prized signature of Josh Weddle for two more seasons to tie him to the club until the end of 2026.

Hawthorn pulled an aggressive live pick swap during the 2022 draft to nab the speedy defender with pick 18, and Weddle went on to play all 17 games after his round 7 debut, averaging 17 disposals and five marks across halfback and on the wing.

Hawthorn draft steal Josh Weddle has signed a two-year contract extension until the end of 2026. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Hawks recruiting boss Mark McKenzie said the club was thrilled to secure a commitment from the 19-year-old.

“Josh has produced a promising start to his AFL career, which should make Hawks fans feel incredibly excited for what’s ahead,” McKenzie said.

“Despite being just a teenager, Josh has an insatiable hunger for hard work and demonstrates a real team-first mentality – both equally impressive qualities that have fit our program perfectly.

“Having shown great maturity during his debut season by playing multiple roles for us in defence, Josh’s development will be exciting to watch, and no doubt he will play a key role in helping to drive our club towards future success.”

Originally published as ‘Carnage’: Hawthorn intra-club turns into ‘horror session’