Sam Mitchell has warned Hawthorn’s issues extend well beyond any single player, as Will Day makes a much-awaited AFL return on Thursday night.
Day and forward Jack Gunston are big inclusions for their match against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.
Gunston has missed the last two games with a foot injury, while Day has not played at all this season because of a dislocated shoulder.
He also only managed six senior games last season. also because of injury.
At his best, Day looms as one of Hawthorn’s most important players. But as they strive for their best form, Mitchell warned Day’s return will not be a magic bullet.
“Adding talent back into your group is always important, but we would like to think we don’t rely on individual players too much,” the Hawks coach said.
“It’s a bit of a risky way to plan your strategy. So he’s a very good player, and we love having him out there.
“Can we not win games without Will Day? Well, of course we can. And are we better with him in? Of course we are.
“So he’s a player who’s going to be important for us when the right time comes.”
Playing Ross Lyon’s St Kilda at Marvel Stadium is always a fraught assignment and Mitchell said Hawthorn must bring their best football to the clash.
The Hawks had a great win over Adelaide last week, but had lost their previous two games.
St Kilda are also struggling for their top form with a 5-6 record. They will recall Alix Tauru and Isaac Keeler for the game.
“The last couple, we’ve played some periods of good footy and haven’t been shooting the lights out,” Mitchell said.
“But we’ve been performing at a reasonably consistent level.
“We lost a couple of games where we knew some issues were popping up. But even when we were winning games, we didn’t think we were a finished product.
“The Saints are a genuine side, a genuine test this week.”
The AFL will have a moment’s silence before all games in round 12 this weekend to honour Neale Daniher, who died on Monday.
“The world is slightly worse place for not having him in it any more,’ Mitchell said of Daniher.
The former Essendon player and Melbourne coach died of motor neuron disease. Since his 2013 diagnosis, Daniher had campaigned ceaselessly to raise money for a cure..
