Hawks Make Shock Move to Sideline Barrass as Bulldogs Suffer Treloar Blow
Hawthorn’s bold move to rest key recruit Tom Barrass signals a strategic shift in player management, with coach Sam Mitchell hinting that other senior players may soon follow suit. Barrass, who has played every game since his off-season switch from West Coast, will miss Saturday’s clash with Melbourne as the Hawks prioritize long-term performance over immediate availability. Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs are dealt a fresh blow with Adam Treloar ruled out due to calf tightness, and Melbourne face a mixed bag—welcoming back Clayton Oliver but losing Jack Viney to concussion. Across the league, selection shake-ups dominate round nine headlines, with Essendon and Port Adelaide both swinging the axe after poor showings, and Carlton betting big on the return of Charlie Curnow for a crunch clash with St Kilda.