HAWTHORN medical staff will monitor Trent Croad throughout the week after scans revealed the defender had dislocated his wrist, but escaped a fracture or break.

Croad, 28, was taken by ambulance from the MCG to Melbourne's Epworth hospital after playing just four minutes of Sunday’s clash with Melbourne.

He fell heavily after botching a tackle on Melbourne skipper David Neitz and ran from the field cradling his left wrist, which he broke in 2006.

After the 104-point win over the Demons, coach Alastair Clarkson said the Hawks were “hoping for the best” with Croad.

He finished ninth in the club's best and fairest last year after holding down centre half-back for a large part of his 20 games played.