Cornes' fears for Day after brutal injury setback

Star Hawk Will day has suffered a dislocation in the right shoulder and will miss the beginning of the 2026 AFL season, with no return date confirmed.

Day suffered no bone damage but the club will be consulting with a surgeon.

It's heart-breaking for Day who had only just returned from a double foot stress fracture injury which wreaked havoc with his 2025 season.

Whatever the future holds, Kane Cornes said serious discussions about making alterations to his game approach will be happening behind the scenes if he is to make the most of his career.

"You can’t carry a dislocated shoulder through a whole season," Cornes said on SEN Breakfast. "It’s not round 18. It didn’t go straight back in clearly. He’s so important to them."

Asked by a caller if he thought Hawthorn should "cut the ribbon" with Day, Cornes said it would absolutely not be on the horizon for a player of his stature.

"I do have fears for him about the longevity of his career but you go as long as you can with this guy," he said. "If you get 10 games out of him per season for the next five years you take what you can get.

"Does he have to change his game? I think yes. The way he plays is so kamikaze but if he changes things does that make him lose what makes him great?

"You can evolve and develop; if there’s a ball you really don’t have to go for in the dying stage of a 3rd quarter when you’re winning by six goals, things like that.

"They will be having discussions privately with him."

Hawthorn’s General Executive Manager of Football Rob McCartney issued the following statement via the club’s website.

“This is a disappointing setback for Will, and we really feel for him at this time.

“Will is one of the most resilient people I know, and he has done everything possible to return to full fitness already this off-season.

“The Club is supporting Will through this process and will provide a further update on his recovery timeline once further consultation has been completed.”

Day managed six games in 2025, with injuries again being the cause of him having to sit on the sidelines for the majority of the season.

Hawthorn’s first game of the season is an elimination final re-match with the Giants at Engie Stadium on March 7.