WaynesWorld19
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AFL.com.au understands the 30-year-old underwent a procedure to have floating cartilage removed from his troublesome right knee.
While the Hawks are adamant he will return to running in the new year, it places question marks over his immediate football future.
Birchall had the surgery before attending the Hawks' summer training camp in Mooloolaba
"It's been a frustrating 18 months, it's fair to say, but I'm feeling really good, the knee's in a good spot and I'm right to go for day one (of pre-season), so I'm looking forward to it," he said.
"I was close (to playing in the finals series), but then I had little interruptions as I was coming back, so I had a little hammy and a little bit of a groin (problem).
"If we had beaten Melbourne in that final, the plan was to play half a game in the twos that weekend, then try and get back for West Coast the week after, but it didn't eventuate."
While the Hawks are adamant he will return to running in the new year, it places question marks over his immediate football future.
Birchall had the surgery before attending the Hawks' summer training camp in Mooloolaba
"It's been a frustrating 18 months, it's fair to say, but I'm feeling really good, the knee's in a good spot and I'm right to go for day one (of pre-season), so I'm looking forward to it," he said.
"I was close (to playing in the finals series), but then I had little interruptions as I was coming back, so I had a little hammy and a little bit of a groin (problem).
"If we had beaten Melbourne in that final, the plan was to play half a game in the twos that weekend, then try and get back for West Coast the week after, but it didn't eventuate."