Hawthorn has made three changes to its team for Friday night’s crucial clash with Adelaide.
Ruckman Ben McEvoy and midfielders Jonathan Simpkin and Will Langford have been recalled.
McEvoy’s inclusion has come at the expense of premiership ruckman David Hale who has been omitted, while Brian Lake is out suspended and Brad Sewell (hamstring) is injured. Speedy wingman Brad Hill will also miss the match after being a late withdrawal because of knee soreness last week.
McEvoy hasn’t played since Round 10 when he injured his hamstring against Port Adelaide, instead having to bide his time in the VFL when he made a comeback a month ago. McEvoy, Simpkin and Langford were all among the best players for Box Hill last weekend.
Kyle Cheney has been named as an emergency alongside Alex Woodward and Luke Lowden.
The team is:
B: Angus Litherland, Matt Spangher, Matt Suckling
HB: Luke Hodge, Ben Stratton, Grant Birchall
C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Luke Shiels
HF: Paul Puopolo, Jack Gunston, Luke Breust
F: Ryan Schoenmakers, Jarryd Roughead, Jordan Lewis
Foll: Ben McEvoy, Shaun Burgoyne, Will Langford
I/C: Taylor Duryea, Ben Ross, Jonathan Simpkin, Jon Ceglar
Emergencies: Kyle Cheney, Alex Woodward, Luke Lowden
In: Simpkin, McEvoy, Langford
Out: Hale (Omitted), Lake (Suspension), Sewell (Hamstring)
