Max Lynch placed on Hawthorn long-term injury list
Hawthorn has been dealt another setback when promising ruckman Max Lynch was ruled out for the rest of the season due to a concussion.
The 24-year-old was subbed out at halftime of his debut match for the season against Adelaide in round 6, with the concussion he sustained understood to be the eighth of his career.
Lynch has been placed on the Hawks’ long-term injury list, with head doctor Liam West stating that the club will be “extremely cautious” in ensuring his full recovery.
“We have adopted an incredibly cautious approach with Max’s recovery timeline given his concussion history, and this move affords him the best chance to return to full health,” West said.
“While we’ve seen some good improvement from Max and he had resumed gentle exercise, our focus is fully centred around him becoming symptom-free.
“Max is 100 per cent on board with this decision, and by removing the pressures of attempting to progress through the return-to-play protocol, it provides great comfort for him and his family.”
Repeat head knocks have interrupted Lynch’s first two seasons at Hawthorn after he crossed over from the Magpies, where he played three games in five seasons before departing at the end of 2021.
The decision to place him on the inactive list will allow the Hawks to take an additional selection at the upcoming mid-season draft.
Hawthorn already had one vacant list space that it did not fill during the pre-season supplemental selection period, and it will have access to a top three pick based on ladder position ahead of the May 31 draft.
Football is a secondary priority for Lynch, according to Hawks coach Rob McCartney, as he concentrates on his health and wellbeing.
“Max is a popular figure at our club and everyone here at Hawthorn is behind him,” he said.
“We are all aware of the difficulties that come with this type of injury, and Max is displaying great positivity and patience throughout the process.”
“Max will be given all the time and support he needs in his recovery – his safety and wellbeing is our absolute priority – football now becomes secondary.”
