Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Max Gruzewski injury fears added to a bruising Friday night for Greater Western Sydney Giants as the club lost two players in quick time during their 14-point AFL defeat to Hawthorn Football Club at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Brent Daniels also limped off with a calf injury, while Hawthorn forward Nick Watson was ruled out after half-time with hamstring tightness. The injuries mattered because the Giants were already carrying a long casualty list and could not complete their comeback as Hawthorn held on for victory.
For more on the match result, read Hawthorn vs GWS: Nick Watson Injury Clouds Hawks’ 14-Point AFL Win, while official fixtures are available through the Australian Football League website.
Giants Hit By Brutal Second-Quarter Blow
Daniels was the first concern, hobbling from the ground with trainers before being ruled out with a calf injury.
“He had his head in his hands. He was just shattered. Ice on his calf,” Abbey Holmes said on Channel 7.
Moments later, Gruzewski went down after a marking contest with James Sicily on the outer wing.
“I feel for the young man, this not a good sign,” Matthew Richardson immediately said in commentary.
The 21-year-old tried to stand, but could not put weight through his leg and was helped off by trainers. He later sat on the bench in clear distress as teammates and staff comforted him.
“These are gut-wrenching scenes, our collective hearts go out to a football in a situation like that,” Al Nicholson said on Channel 7.
Patella Diagnosis Brings Some Relief
Greater Western Sydney Giants confirmed Gruzewski had suffered a patella dislocation and would not return.
Channel 7 reporter Xander McGuire said the diagnosis was better than the feared ACL injury, though recovery time could vary.
“So I spoke to Dr Peter Larkins at the start of this season when Dan Curtin dislocated his kneecap, and the info he gave me is that a clean dislocation of the patella can be about 6-8 weeks out of the game,” he said.
Hawthorn also managed Watson carefully after his hamstring issue. He had earlier kicked two quick goals, reached his 100th career goal, then watched the second half in a tracksuit.
“It’s not a debilitating issue by any means, but he is done for the night,” McGuire said of Watson.
