Damon Greaves solid down back in Hawthorn return as Hughes looks set for Freo comeback

Former Busselton Magpie Damon Greaves had his best game yet for Hawthorn in their loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday night. Greaves returned to the side as a replacement for fellow WA defender Denver Grainger-Barras and racked up 18 disposals in his customary role in defence. The 21-year-old looked more comfortable in possession than he has done at any point in his seven-game career, disposing of the footy at 83 per cent and regularly getting in position to be a handball outlet across half-back. The young Hawk also had three marks, a tackle, and even a clearance as his side went on to lose the game, which was Shaun Burgoyne’s 400th, by 34-points. Swan Districts’ product Grainger-Barras was concussed on debut last week and would have the served the mandatory 12-day break by the time the Hawks play Fremantle in Launceston this weekend, but a positive showing means Greaves is a real chance to hold his spot for another week. Fremantle’s Ethan Hughes made a successful return from a shoulder injury during a 12 v 12 practice match against West Coast in Melbourne on Saturday. Fellow defender Hayden Young also returned from injury for the scratch match and told the club website he felt Hughes wasn’t far off a return to senior footy. “He was really good. His shoulder looked really strong, he took some heavy hits and got up, which was good to see,” Young said. For West Coast, former Eaton Boomer Isiah Winder also returned from a knee issue for the scrimmage and has now been listed as a test on the club’s injury list.