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Tom Scully has taken leave from the club.Credit:Eddie Jim

Sources familiar with Scully’s situation say he has had difficulties in his marriage and in recent weeks has been questioning his desire to continue to play AFL,after struggling to recover fitness and then form last year.

The club has given him time away to think about what he wants to do next and has not put a time frame on his return.

“Tom has requested time off from his football commitments due to personal circumstances,” Hawthorn said in a statement.

“Hawthorn is fully supportive of Tom’s request and remains in regular communication with Tom to provide him with any support required.

“The club asks that Tom’s privacy is respected at this time and will provide a further update when available.“

Scully is in the final year of his contract.

His manager,Mark Kleiman,did not want to comment when contacted.

The 29-year-old joined the Hawks for the 2019 season from Greater Western Sydney.

He played 21 games in 2019 and 14 in 2020. The hard-running No.1 pick from the 2009 draft moved from Melbourne to the Giants in 2011.

The move adds to a difficult off-season for the Hawks with Scully’s teammate Jonathon Patton also currently away from the club,having been stood down for allegedly sending inappropriate messages to women.

Patton has been stood down indefinitely while the matter is investigated by the AFL integrity unit. It is unlikely to be resovled in the immediate term with more people,including Patton,to be interviewed.

The Hawks have also lost respected long-term head of football Graham Wright who quit the club in December before accepting a job at Collingwood as the replacement for retiring football boss Geoff Walsh.

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