HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson says if anyone is going to make a successful return from a third knee reconstruction, it will be young midfielder Alex Woodward.
The 22-year-old is expected to have surgery on Thursday after injuring the knee playing for Box Hill on Sunday, but Clarkson said he could still have a successful AFL career.
He described Woodward's positive outlook as 'unbelievable' and said the club would support the youngster through this latest setback.
"That's a really sad situation," Clarkson said on Thursday morning.
"But one thing that does occur when you have to go through that process, you become a very, very resilient character and he is certainly that way."
Woodward has played just two senior games with the Hawks but won the 2014 Liston Trophy as the VFL's best and fairest, and was biding his time waiting for an opportunity.
"There [have] been instances where guys have come back from some serious hardship like this and given the character of the lad we think he is one who can come back and play some good footy for us," Clarkson said.
Woodward was taken at pick No.53 by the Hawks in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft.
In better news for the Hawks, James Frawley is likely to be available against Carlton, and several players from Box Hill, including young midfielder Jed Anderson, are pushing for selection.
Clarkson said pressure for spots was enough to keep the Hawks on edge for Friday night's clash with Carlton and their preparation would be the same regardless of the opposition.
"Four points are up for grabs, blokes are jostling for spots," he said.
"[There are] a lot of players at Box Hill who are playing really, really good footy and probably seeing some opportunities towards the end of the year of trying to get into a side that is going to play finals."
He said the team that defeated the Sydney Swans by 89 points at ANZ Stadium might be unchanged.
Clarkson also said he would have no problem playing at the venue again despite Jarryd Roughead sliding across bolts sticking out of concrete behind the goals on Saturday night.
"It's really, really difficult for them and the list of things that they have got to check off to make sure that ground is suitable is immense," he said.
"They do a good job. Do we like the fact that last week occurred? No, we don't. We think it's dangerous and in some cases unprofessional, but gee whiz it is a really tough task."
Clarkson said the Hawks would not contemplate the implications of Brendon Bolton being a candidate for the Carlton senior coaching job until the Blues narrowed down the candidates to a short list.
