HAWTHORN defender Grant Birchall could be facing another stint on the sidelines after injuring his right knee against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.

Returning from a broken jaw, suffered against Adelaide in round two, which kept him out for three matches, Birchall was again in the wars.

The four-time premiership Hawk suffered the injury late in the first term.

In teammate Josh Gibson's efforts to spoil, he fell heavily onto Birchall's knee who was coming in from the front of the contest.

After heading to the rooms to have his knee strapped, Birchall returned to the interchange bench at quarter time.

The Hawks decided to take no further risks with the star defender, having him apply an ice pack to his injured knee and ruling him out for the rest of the game.

Hawthorn leads Melbourne by 29 points at half time.