Top-four aspirants Hawthorn are set to lose Emily Bates for the run towards the finals after the star midfielder suffered a shoulder injury.
Hawks captain Bates hurt the sternoclavicular joint in her shoulder in the final quarter of their seven-point win over Geelong at GMHBA Stadium last Thursday.
With less than two minutes remaining, three-time All-Australian midfielder Bates made heavy side-on contact with Cats defender Rachel Kearns for a ground ball.
The club has yet to determine a timeline for the 29-year-old's return ahead of this Thursday's home clash against Fremantle.
Bates, the 2022 (S6) league best-and-fairest, is among Hawthorn's best ball-winners and averages 21.6 disposals a game.
"Given the nature of the sternoclavicular joint injury, Emily will not play this week against Fremantle," Hawks high-performance boss Aaron Kellett said in a club statement.
"Our medical team is now investigating the best course of action for Emily moving forward, and we will provide further updates in due course."
Hawthorn sit third (6-1) on percentage with just five rounds remaining.
While Bates's absence is a massive blow, the Hawks will be helped by a favourable fixture for the run to the finals.
Reigning AFLW premiers North Melbourne are the only top-eight team Hawthorn are scheduled to meet, with 11th-placed Essendon in round 11 the second-highest ranked side.
