Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

The Tom Barrass injury has left the Hawthorn Hawks reeling after the key defender was forced from the field during Thursday night’s blockbuster against the Fremantle Dockers. The star backman appeared to strain his left hamstring while chasing Josh Treacy in the second quarter at Optus Stadium.

Tom Barrass was immediately taken to the bench and had his leg iced for the remainder of the contest. His absence left a gaping hole in the defense as the Fremantle Dockers mounted a late charge to win by 15 points.

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Massive Story for the Hawks

Broadcaster Brian Taylor identified the exit of the veteran as a major story for the club during the match. “That is a massive story for Hawthorn,” Brian Taylor said during the Channel 7 coverage.

Tom Barrass had been assigned to Fremantle Dockers power forward Josh Treacy, who kicked one goal in the opening term. Without their primary stopper, the Hawthorn Hawks struggled to contain the aerial threat of the opposition.

West Coast Eagles AFLW coach Daisy Pearce shared her thoughts on the situation at the main break. “This is a big out,” Daisy Pearce stated.

Implications for the Upcoming Month

Daisy Pearce further explained that the setback would have major consequences for the team's trajectory. “This is going to have big implications tonight and moving forward in Hawthorn’s season. They have a tough run coming up,” she said.

The Hawthorn Hawks are scheduled to face the Melbourne Demons, Adelaide Crows, St Kilda Saints, and Western Bulldogs in the coming weeks. Navigating this period without their defensive anchor will be a big challenge for the coaching staff.

More Injury Concerns

There is additional worry surrounding veteran Jack Gunston, who was spotted limping in the rooms following the match. Jack Gunston was the standout performer for the visitors with a game high six goals.

He appears to have suffered a lower leg issue late in the final term. Official medical updates are expected later this week on the AFL website.

Tom Barrass was playing in Perth for just the second time since his trade from the West Coast Eagles in 2024. The club will now wait for scan results to confirm how long he will be sidelined.