BREAKOUT Hawthorn forward Mitch Lewis will undergo a shoulder reconstruction next week that will delay his start to the pre-season.
The 20-year-old missed the Hawks' last two games because of the injury and is expected to take about four months to recover from the operation.
His absence paved the way for retired great Jarryd Roughead to play and kick six goals in what was his farewell match in round 22 against Gold Coast.
We can't get enough of the Rough! #AFLHawksSuns pic.twitter.com/1KLpwXJzhf
— AFL (@AFL) August 18, 2019
Lewis also had a shoulder reconstruction at the end of the 2017 season.
He emerged this year as a critical piece of Hawthorn's future in his third season on the list, kicking 20 goals in 12 games and averaging 2.3 contested marks and 2.5 marks inside 50.
Coach Alastair Clarkson's decision to send Lewis back to the VFL for a month mid-season proved a significant turning point.
He booted 13 majors in his six matches after returning to the senior side and improved his numbers across the board to announce himself as Roughead's heir apparent.
What a wonderful kick from Mitch Lewis! #AFLHawksGiants pic.twitter.com/WnhQSJYTze
— AFL (@AFL) May 12, 2019
The Hawks reported on Tuesday that Tom Scully's left ankle injury – the opposite foot to his serious injury from last year – was only minor.
Out-of-contract forward Ryan Schoenmakers, who played in the club's 2015 premiership win, will miss the rest of the season, including Box Hill's finals campaign, because of ongoing calf issues.
Hawthorn announced five re-signings earlier on Friday, with tall forward Jackson Ross, promising midfielder Harry Jones and fellow rookies Will Golds, Damon Greaves and Ned Reeves locked in for 2020.
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