Hawthorn reveal lengthy setback for forward

Hawthorn has announced a significant setback for young forward Calsher Dear, who has also extended his stay with the club by signing a new one-year contract.

The club revealed on Thursday that Dear is suffering from a bone stress injury in his lower back. Further evaluations are needed to establish the full extent of the injury and a clear recovery timeline.

Dear is set to undergo additional scans next month, which will help determine when he can rejoin the training program. This could delay the start of his second season with the Hawks.

“Calsher has already begun a period of rest to allow the injury to heal,” Hawks doctor Liam West stated.

“Initial scans show bone stress in his lower back. We’ll gain more clarity through continued physical assessments and further imaging, which will help us finalize his recovery plan.”

“Given Calsher’s age, we will ensure we are diligent and thorough throughout this rehab process.

“We will provide further updates in due course.”

Although the injury setback is disappointing for Calsher Dear, the young forward has solidified his future with Hawthorn by signing a new contract.

Previously set to see his rookie deal expire at the end of next season, Dear has extended his tenure with the club, committing until the end of 2026.

“Hawthorn drafted Calsher as an exciting prospect last year, and we’ve been delighted with his development in the brown and gold so far,” said Hawthorn list manager Mark McKenzie.

“Following an impressive debut season with 17 games and 25 goals, Calsher showcased his potential as a key forward. At just 19 years old, he continues to work closely with our coaches and mentors, including Jack Gunston. We’re eager to see what the future holds for him under this new deal.”

Dear had an outstanding first year at AFL level, appearing in 17 games and scoring 25 goals. His performances included playing in both of Hawthorn’s finals against the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide, where he added four goals during the September campaign.