Hawthorn will have a nervous wait to see the extent of Connor Macdonald’s injury after he was subbed out in the second quarter against Carlton. The Hawks went on to win 12.8 (80) – 8.12 (60).
Midway through the quarter, Macdonald was taken to the ground by George Hewett with the Hawks youngster’s leg folding awkwardly underneath himself.
Jack Gunston was then subbed into the game with Macdonald assisted off by a trainer.
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Connor Macdonald clutches at his ankle after a tackle which eventually led to him leaving. Fox Footy
“He’s a big loss Macdonald, a quality ball user in that forward half,” David King said on Fox Footy’s coverage.
The tackle comes after sling tackle were outlawed from the game due to head knocks. Instead, players are still dumped but with their hips dropped.
Leigh Montagna described the incident as a “consequence” of that decision.
“You have to tackle them somehow, you’ve got to be able to do it some way to bring them to the ground,” he said on Fox Footy.
“This is the consequence if you can’t drive or roll them over, you’ve got to pull them down and that’s what’s going to happen.”
Connor Macdonald before he was injured. AFL Photos via Getty Images
AFL legend Jason Dunstall agreed with the assessment.
“Exactly right. You’ve got to allow the tackler something. If you’re saying you can’t sling him then OK I’ll drag him down as I go otherwise you’re going to completely change the game by saying you’re not allowed to take them to ground,” he added.
Post-match, Hawks coach Sam Mitchell was unsure of the severity of the injury but confirmed Macdonald will have scans.
Hawthorn were first on the board at the MCG but it looked like Carlton hit back immediately with Tom De Koning’s long-range effort.
The Blues ruckman celebrated until the umpire ruled Jack Silvagni had impeded Tom Barrass on the goal-line who attempted to touch the ball.
“Definitely a free kick there, but they’re not paid very often on the goal-line. I’ve got away with worse,” Jack Riewoldt said.
Hawthorn went on to hold a slim two-point lead at the first break before the Blues pushed ahead to lead 6.4 (40) – 5.5 (35) at half-time.
The slim margin continued at the end of the third quarter, however it was Hawthorn leading by five points this time.
The Hawks blitzed the Blues in the final quarter though, taking home a 20-point win to start the season undefeated while Carlton have lost two-in-a-row.
Mabior Chol finished with three goals while Jai Newcombe had 32 touches for the Hawthorn. Carlton stars Pat Cripps, Adam Cerra and Hewett were the next three players to lead the disposal count.
