Hawthorn rocked by massive blow as midfielder Will Day ruled out of AFL elimination final

Hawthorn will be without Will Day in their AFL elimination final against the Western Bulldogs, with the 23-year-old failing to overcome a collarbone injury in time. The Hawks had been hoping Day would be back for Friday night's game after suffering the injury in Round 23 a fortnight ago.

But the club revealed on Saturday that Day won't be available against the Bulldogs, although they're hopeful he'll be back in the second week of the finals should they advance. "Will certainly is improving, he has been able to resume running and has been training over the past week," said Hawthorn's head doctor Liam West on Saturday.

"But at this stage Will hasn't reached the level of function to return to full skills training yet. And given his specific injury, we unfortunately know he won't be able to achieve this in time to be considered for selection next week. We plan to progress Will's rehab next week and remain hopeful that he may be available for the second week of finals, should we progress."

The Bulldogs have a lingering injury concern of their own, with midfielder Adam Treloar battling a calf complaint. The All-Australian player has stated he's confident he'll be fit for the elimination final, but played with a tight calf against Greater Western Sydney in round 24. Scans cleared Treloar of a muscle strain, but the 31-year-old missed the Bulldogs' training session at Whitten Oval last Thursday.

AFL reschedules women's game to avoid clash with men's final

Meanwhile, the AFL has decided to reschedule the Western Bulldogs' AFLW match in round two to feature as part of a historic double-header with the men's elimination final. The Bulldogs had been left fuming after the women's game against Port Adelaide was initially slated to clash with the men's final against Hawthorn.

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But instead of being played at Whitten Oval next Friday night, the AFLW game will now be played at the MCG at 4.30pm before the men's game. The sold-out Bulldogs-Hawks AFL elimination final will start at 7.40pm, with a crowd of more than 90,000 expected to attend.

"We were presented with a unique set of circumstances," AFL football boss Laura Kane said. "Following discussions with the Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, the MCG and our broadcast partners, there was universal alignment on trying to maximise the AFLW crowd considering the Western Bulldogs' involvement in both matches.

"We encourage anyone with a ticket to the MCG on Friday next week to get to the ground early and enjoy what will be a great AFLW match-up between the Bulldogs and the Power. On behalf of everyone at the AFL, I want to thank everyone involved in making this happen so quickly."

The AFL said fans who purchased a ticket to the AFLW match will receive a replacement ticket for the MCG double-header at no extra cost. AFLW club members have also been allocated "a number of tickets" to the double-header.

The Bulldogs welcomed the AFL's decision. "Our priority is to ensure that our members and fans have the most memorable experience possible, and this historic double-header will give them a unique opportunity to enjoy a feast of Bulldogs footy on a Friday night," the club said in a statement on Friday.

"We appreciate the myriad considerations that fixturing presents and would like to thank the AFL for acknowledging the challenges with the original scheduling and working with all of its stakeholders ... to ensure the best possible outcome for our members and fans."

AFL week one finals schedule:

• Second qualifying final: Port Adelaide v Geelong - Thursday September 5, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm

• Second elimination final: Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn - Friday September 6, MCG, 7.40pm

• First qualifying final: Sydney v GWS - Saturday September 7, SCG, 3.20pm

• First elimination final: Brisbane Lions v Carlton - Saturday September 7, Gabba, 7.30pm

with AAP