Hawthorn ruckman Max Bailey has suffered a cruel blow just two weeks out from their season opening game against Collingwood at the MCG.
Bailey aggravated a previous wrist injury that will require surgery.
Hawthorn have yet to release an expected timeframe for his return but early reports are that the 25-year-old could miss up to 3 months of football.
It’s a cruel setback for Bailey, in his 6 year AFL career the Hawks No.1 ruckman has managed just 22 games due to crippling injuries which include 3 knee reconstructions.
Mark Evans, Hawthorns football manager, confirmed that Bailey would undergo surgery on his wrist.
“He has aggravated an old wrist injury, an old fracture site and he will need to have surgery to repair that,” Evans said.
“He won’t be around for the start of the season. We are not trying to pretend this is a quick fix, (he will be out for) a couple of months.”
Hawthorn face a tough task replacing Bailey in the ruck after trading Brent Renouf to Port Adelaide last year. David Hale, who kicked 6 goals in the weekends ANB Cup match against the Demons, seems to be the likely replacement in the ruck.
