HAWTHORN midfielder Sam Mitchell has hailed the Hawks' medical team for mending both injuries and inhibitions while the club's depth was stretched.
Mitchell was one of the Hawks' best in their 10-point win over the Sydney Swans, his third game back after an eight-week layoff.
The epic MCG clash, which prompted Swans co-captain Kieren Jack to nominate Hawthorn as premiership favourites, was Josh Gibson's first after 11 weeks on the sidelines due to a torn pectoral muscle.
Gibson performed strongly against a multi-pronged Swans forward line featuring power forwards Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett and Sam Reid.
"He did a pretty good job for a bloke who hasn't played footy for so long. That's great work from ‘Gibbo’ but also great work from the guys who prepare you to play," Mitchell said on Monday.
"They get you to a position where you're confident. There's no inhibitions about what you can or can't do.
"I've got to tip my lid to those guys - every step of the way with my rehab they were a step in front of me. They knew how I was going to feel."
Mitchell was quick to dismiss Jack's claim, saying "finals are a long way away and the Grand Final even further".
"They (the Swans) are a very, very good side. If we play each other 10 times in a row it might be 5-5 or 6-4," he said.
Hawthorn's injury crisis has abated, although hamstrung duo Cyril Rioli and Brad Sewell will be important inclusions when passed fit.
Sewell is a chance of playing this weekend.
Rioli, whose hamstring tendon injury is similar to what Mitchell suffered, is still at least a month away.
Mitchell suggested no matter the stakes or scenario, the club will not select Rioli until he's ready for AFL intensity.
"What we've probably got better at is preparing those (injured) guys to play ... they're not going to be eased in," he said.
"They flogged me on the track basically."
Mitchell did reveal one lingering effect from his own setback.
"Because it was the right hamstring that I hurt, I've decided that (I'll use the) left foot (for) outside-50m shots on goal and things like that," the 31-year-old said.
"I've changed a little bit of my kicking style, just to protect the hamstring a little bit."
