Star forward Nick Watson has been ruled out of Hawthorn's clash with Melbourne due to hamstring tightness.
But the Hawks rate Watson's fellow prolific goal-kicker Jack Gunston a chance to return from a foot injury for Saturday's Launceston encounter.
Gunston trained on Tuesday ahead of further assessments.
"We've got a main training session on Thursday, which we expect him to train and complete, and all going well we would make him available" Hawthorn's high performance manager Peter Burge said.
Watson missed the second half of last Friday night's win over GWS and, in a halftime interview, revealed he had barely trained ahead the game due to concerns about his hamstring.
After looking sore, Watson incredibly kicked three goals in a game-changing burst just before the main break to help Hawthorn take a crucial lead.
Watson's replacement will be rugby league convert Matt Hill, who spent time in the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos academies.
From Katherine to the big leagues 🤩
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) June 30, 2026
Matt Hill will be making his debut this week
📝: https://t.co/MHiK7215jf pic.twitter.com/oGi2oOmmmg
Originally from Katherine in the Northern Territory, Hill was signed by Hawthorn as a category B rookie in 2024.
The speedster kicked 28 goals across 30 VFL games for Box Hill, including an impressive performance against the Giants last week.
Meanwhile, Sydney have suffered another injury blow with defender Sam Wicks to miss up to six weeks after straining a hamstring at training on Monday.
Wicks' injury followed confirmation key forward Joel Amartey will be out for 10 weeks with an achilles injury.
Swans livewire Tom Papley (calf) and utility Braeden Campbell (shin stress fractures) have returned to full training but will miss another game, with both expected to be available from next week.
North Melbourne's first-choice ruckman Tristan Xerri has been cleared to return from a fractured jaw for an away trip to play Port Adelaide on Sunday.
Richmond expect spearhead Tom Lynch (throat) to return for their Saturday encounter with Carlton.
"Lynchy's just got to have a scan tomorrow and provided healing on that larynx fracture has gone OK, then he'll be available," the Tigers' high performance manager Ben Serpell said.
St Kilda remain hopeful a trio of injured players could play against last-placed Essendon on Sunday.
Hunter Clark (knee), Dougal Howard (calf) and Alex Dodson (groin) face fitness tests later this week.
Saints ruckman Tom De Koning (ribs) has returned to the club after being discharged from hospital last week, though it's not yet known when he will play again.
"He's already started some light rehabilitation and will continue to be assessed as his recovery progresses," St Kilda's football boss Lenny Hayes said.
