The Road Back: Inside Finn Maginness’s Life-Threatening Kidney Injury and Return
Hawthorn midfielder Finn Maginness has spoken publicly for the first time about the severe kidney injury that nearly ended his career—and his life—during a match in July 2025.
The incident occurred during the Hawks’ clash against Port Adelaide at UTAS Stadium. In a freak collision with teammate Calsher Dear, Maginness suffered a traumatic injury: two arteries to his kidney were torn, triggering significant internal bleeding.
"I lost nearly half my blood."
Following the match, Maginness was rushed to Launceston Hospital before being medevaced to Hobart for emergency surgery. The internal bleeding was so severe that he required multiple hospital stays, including an extended admission to treat a subsequent infection that complicated his recovery.
The injury was not just a football setback—it was a fight to survive.
A Custom Guard and a Premiership Dream
Despite the severity of the trauma, Maginness returned to the field in 2026. His comeback is remarkable not only for its speed, but for the new measures he now takes for safety. He now wears a custom kidney guard, designed specifically to protect the vulnerable area from future impacts.
Maginness made clear that the injury did not break his spirit—it refocused it.
The incident, he says, became a driving force. Rather than deterring him, the near-fatal collision has sharpened his motivation. His stated goal for the remainder of his career with Hawthorn is clear: to help the club win a premiership.