Hawthorn are bracing themselves for a crunch match against Collingwood next Sunday without key midfielder Brad Sewell after it was revealed in the bet365 AFL betting news that the 29-year-old pulled a hamstring at the weekend.
Sewell had put in a solid performance for the Hawks on Sunday before limping off in the third quarter of his side’s 50-point victory over West Coast.
The midfielder looked in some pain and luckily wasn’t missed as Hawthorn banished their nightmare start to the season against Geelong with a first victory of the campaign at Patersons Stadium.
Unfortunately for acting GM Chris Fagan, however, Sewell’s absence will be greatly felt next weekend against Collingwood and their key man may be out of action for even longer.
“Brad was able to jog lightly [on Tuesday], and depending on how quickly the injury site settles we expect him to resume playing within the next one to two weeks,” Fagan said.
“[Sewell] underwent scans that have shown he has a bit of bleeding in the hamstring.”
Although the hurt is not as bad as first thought, the fact Sewell will miss Collingwood and possibly the Freemantle clash in round four must be a serious concern for Hawthorn fans in the betting world.
His absence adds to a growing injury list that includes Brendan Whitecross and Matthew Suckling, who ruptured his right knee ligaments in the NAB Cup against Richmond last month.
Without key premiership players Hawthorn look a shadow of their former selves and can expect a lesson in football at the MCG on Sunday.
Few fans would rationally side with Hawthorn in the AFL odds, who have little chance against an in-form Collingwood side, and we are more likely to witness a damage limitation exercise instead of a football contest this weekend.
