HAWTHORN could be bolstered by the inclusion of key defenders Brian Lake and Ryan Schoenmakers after the duo were named in an extended squad for Sunday’s match against Richmond at the MCG.

After being beaten by Geelong by 19 points on Monday, both Lake and Schoenmakers would be welcome additions to a backline playing above its height and weight range in the opening five rounds.

Lake has played two games in the VFL since returning from suspension and injury and has been impressive in defence for Box Hill.

He was again among their best in last Saturday night’s 27-point VFL victory over Geelong at Simmonds Stadium with Football Academy Development Coordinator, Damian Caroll describing him as one of the key reasons in winning the game.

He finished with 17 disposals and seven marks.

If selected for the clash against the Tigers, it will be Lake’s first for Hawthorn since the 2013 Grand Final.

Schoenmakers is in line for his first game back for the Hawks since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in Round 4 last season.

It has been a long road back for the defender, who has played three games in the VFL to prepare him for an AFL return.

The young defender has impressed in defence but has also spent some time forward and even kicked the sealing goal in the win over Werribee in his return game three weeks ago.

The Club’s first draft pick in the 2013 National Draft, Billy Hartung is in line to become the Club’s fifth debutant of the year after an impressive performance in the VFL last week.

Hartung had 25 disposals in the win over Geelong and that impressive form combined with a strong showing over the pre-season has him knocking on the door of selection and poised to potentially make his debut at the MCG.

Drafted from Dandenong Stingrays with selection 24 overall, Hartung is a 177cm midfielder with great endurance, speed and uses the ball well.

The 25-man squad will be trimmed to 22 at 5pm on Friday.

Round 6
Richmond v Hawthorn
Sunday 27 April
MCG, 3.20pm

B: Burgoyne Gibson Stratton
HB: Suckling Birchall Hodge
C: Smith Mitchell Hill
HF: Gunston Rioli
F: Hale Roughead Breust
Foll: McEvoy Langford Lewis      
I/C from: Duryea Hallahan Simpkin Cheney Lake Schoenmakers Hartung