Overview
- Josh Battle went to hospital with abdominal pain and had his appendix removed, ruling him out of Hawthorn’s Saturday match in Launceston.
- Hawthorn has named debutants Matt Hill and Noah Mraz, recalled Will McCabe and is likely to include Bodie Ryan as a late defensive replacement.
- The club’s backline is already depleted by Josh Weddle’s suspension, Karl Amon’s knee issue and Jarman Impey’s hamstring, while ruck Ned Reeves is also out.
- Melbourne’s return of several players and the absence of Reeves increases the importance of contests around Max Gawn and the Dees’ key forwards.
- Battle’s recovery makes his availability for next week’s game against Carlton uncertain and Hawthorn will monitor his medical progress before finalising selections.