Hawthorn midfielder Conor Nash could miss the remainder of the AFL season as he deals with a complex neck injury, while star forward Nick Watson will spend another week on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.
Nash's Neck Injury and Recovery Timeline
Nash has not played since Round 11 and still has no clear timeframe for a return. The 27-year-old has a disc issue in his neck causing nerve problems down his arm. He can run and train but has not been cleared for contact training. To seek further clarity, Nash visited a specialist in Sydney this week who has worked with rugby league players.
Coach Sam Mitchell confirmed Nash will not play for at least the next month and may not return this season. "He definitely won't play for a month ... but we have no timeline. Realistically, he could miss the rest of the season," Mitchell said on Thursday.
Impact on Hawthorn's Midfield
Nash has been a key cog in the Hawks' midfield for the past five seasons. His absence was felt heavily in the weekend's loss to Melbourne, where the Demons dominated the first half.
Watson's Hamstring Setback
Meanwhile, Watson will miss Saturday night's clash against Carlton due to his hamstring issue. He had hoped to return after missing last week's loss to Melbourne but will now spend another week on the sidelines. Mitchell confirmed Watson is a near certainty for next week's game against Richmond.
"Unfortunately, Nick won't play this week. He ran on Tuesday at 88 per cent of his top speed, which is still faster than most of us," Mitchell said. "But just from a confidence point of view, we don't feel like it is worth the risk with it. He will miss one more and then he will be available for next week."
