How Day came out 'the other side' of latest injury setback

Hawthorn’s Will Day has reflected on how he’s been able to come back from his latest injury.

Throughout his AFL career, Day has battled through several injuries, resulting in many stints on the sideline.

His most recent was during this year’s pre-season when he suffered a shoulder injury, which required reconstruction.

As a result, he missed the first half of the season, with the 2023 Peter Crimmins Medallist making his AFL return against the Saints in Round 12.

In the three games he’s played since, the 25-year-old hasn’t missed a beat, averaging 21.3 disposals, 5.7 clearances and six tackles from 65.33% time on ground.  

While he's returned with a great start, the Hawthorn star admitted he worried about whether his body would hold up on his return.

“I'd probably be lying if I said I didn't have those thoughts (of my body not holding up),” Day said on SEN’s Crunch Time.

“But I guess anyone would with the amount of injuries I've had. It's something you just got to sort of work with, and I think everyone has those types of thoughts, whether it's performance-based or injuries. I think it's something you've just got to lean into.

“We've got a great psychologist at the club, Ed Barlow, that I've worked really closely with throughout my time in rehab, and I think it's not going away from those thoughts, but sort of accepting them and working through them.

“And I think I've come out the other side from being able to do that.”

But with his latest injury, it has slightly changed the way Day plays his game.

“I think my competitiveness is probably my biggest strength, but can be a weakness of mine as well,” he explained.

“So, I've done a lot of work, behind the scenes, about that and mainly at training.

“If there's a ball that I don't really need to go for and I'm not in the right position, I think previously I'd just go 110% all the time.

“Whereas now, just sort of having the smarts to sort of pick my battles.”

Day and the Hawks next feature on Friday when they host the GWS Giants at the MCG.

The match begins 7:40pm AEST.