A QUAD injury in the warm-up before last Thursday night's NAB Challenge game against Carlton may have cost Hawthorn youngster Zac Webster an early-season debut.
The Hawks expect the 20-year-old small forward to be sidelined for up to two months with the injury.
The Tasmanian was set to make his pre-season debut at Aurora Stadium in front of his home fans but failed to take his place in the side.
Hawks football manager Chris Fagan said the club was disappointed at Webster's latest injury setback.
"Zac injured himself in the warm-up, with his final kick out on the ground," Fagan said.
"We believed it to be a minor injury - he was still able to run, but couldn't generate power with his kicking.
"As a precaution, our medical staff decided not to play him.
"As it turns out, the injury was a lot more serious than we first thought. The scans have revealed 'Webby' has a significant quad strain, which looks like keeping him out for about six to eight weeks."
Webster's 2015 season was impeded by persistent hamstring injuries, and he never strung two consecutive games together.
He was first selected by Hawthorn with pick No.48 in the 2014 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
The speedy small forward was elevated to the senior list at the end of the 2014 season.
