The top-level career of Hawthorn legend Luke Breust is likely over after suffering a horrific leg injury while playing for Box Hill in the VFL.
Breust, who had already announced his retirement for the end of the season, was playing for Hawthorn's VFL affiliate Box Hill in the preliminary final against Footscray.
In a tackle on Josh Kellett, Breust got his leg caught under the Footscray player, with his knee bending completely in an unnatural angle.
Luke Breust is helped off the field after a nasty looking right knee injury in the VFL 😢 pic.twitter.com/txB7pK9o3k
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 13, 2025
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The Hawks icon appeared to be in excruciating pain after the incident and was unable to put any weight on his leg before being taken to the rooms for assessment.
Any significant injury will rule Breust out of Box Hill's finals campaign but also Hawthorn's quest to win the AFL premiership.
The 34-year-old played as substitute in Hawthorn's final regular season game, but was omitted from the team for the elimination final against GWS and also wasn't selected for Friday night's Adelaide semi-final.
However, Breust was named as first emergency for the Hawks, indicating how close he was to selection for the semi-final or possibly a preliminary final and grand final.
Breust will go down as one of the top small forward's in AFL history, kicking 553 goals across his 308 games for Hawthorn.
He was a part of three premierships at the Hawks, received two All-Australian selections and won Hawthorn's leading goalkicker on five occasions.