EXPERIENCED Hawthorn defender James Frawley has suffered a groin injury in the club's intraclub match on Friday night.

The former Demon left the ground gingerly early in the third quarter, but without help, and did not return. 

He went straight to the Hawks' medical staff, including elite performance manager Andrew Russell, and soon after went under the race to the rooms.

Frawley's 2017 season was ruined by a turf toe injury, but he hadn't missed a beat in the pre-season.

He was playing for the orange team in the backline, alongside Ben Stratton, Ryan Burton, James Sicily and Shaun Burgoyne.