Dashing Hawthorn defender Changkuoth Jiath will play in a VFL practice match for Box Hill on Friday as he pushes to be part of the Hawks’ round 1 side.
The 22-year-old, who re-signed for two years in February, enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2021 but a posterior cruciate ligament injury ended his season prematurely in July and interrupted his pre-season.
Star midfielders Tom Mitchell (groin soreness) and Jaeger O’Meara (hamstring tightness) are expected to face North Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday week.
It remains to be seen whether Jiath will be considered for the Roos clash off a limited prxjmtzyweparation but club doctor Liam West said he was on track to be “medically available”.
“CJ is tracking really well,” West told the Hawthorn website.
“He’s actually expected to play some match play at the end of this week and if he gets through that OK, he should be medically available for selection for the coaches for round 1.”
Both O’Meara and Mitchell were held out of Saturday’s 25-point Community Series defeat to Richmond in Tasmania as a precaution.
West said O’Meara would return to high-speed running next week as he looked to prove his fitness, while Mitchell won’t play in the VFL practice match but “should be available” for round 1.
But Will Day and Jarman Impey are still as many as three weeks away as they recover from respective ankle setbacks.
“We’re starting to get towards game loads (for Day) but we’re trying to get there in a really progressive manner,” West said.
“At the moment, we’re looking at a return to AFL football and selection around about rounds 2 or 3 but certainly early in the season.
“Jarman’s had an ankle issue throughout this pre-season that we’re managing and we’re trying to bring up his loads, so that he can get to game intensity.
“We’re looking to do that progressively and we think that he’ll be available in the early rounds.”
Second-year players Lachie Bramble (foot stress fracture) and Connor Downie (hamstring) will spend at least the next month on the sidelines.
