Hawthorn gun Will Day will miss most of the season with a foot injury

Hawthorn has suffered a major blow with a serious injury to a key player who missed most of 2024.

Hawthorn will be without star Will Day for most of the season after scans confirmed a stress fracture in his foot that requires immediate surgery.

Day, 23, who didn’t play until round 8 in 2024 due to a foot injury, pulled up sore after a training session on the weekend with the Hawks having the bye.

Subsequent scans on Monday revealed a fracture in the navicular bone in his foot, the same foot that he injured at the beginning of 2024.

It is a different issue this time but requires a lengthy rehab period.

“In this instance, surgery is required to fix the fracture,” Hawks doctor Liam West said on Tuesday.

“Additionally, the surgery will also reduce the risk of future issues for Will during his career.”

Will Day could miss four months of football. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

Day only played 16 games last season and missed both his team’s finals with a collarbone injury.

Hawthorn football boss Rob McCartney said the latest setback was a “bitter blow”.

“The playing group has already rallied around him to support him in this initial phase,” he said.

“Will is one of the most determined and resilient young individuals I know.

“These attributes will come to the fore as he starts his rehab journey.”

While Day faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines, the club is optimistic that he could return before the end of the season.

Hawthorn has won all four games so far in 2025 and is on track to play finals.