WITH little issue on the injury front, Hawthorn is ready to attack its opening NAB Challenge game against Collingwood in Tasmania on Thursday night.

With Grant Birchall (knee) the only injury concern, the Hawks have had what midfielder Liam Shiels described as a “solid” pre-season to date.

“The rehab group has managed to stay pretty small, which is always good,” Shiels told media on Monday morning.

“We’ve had a pretty solid pre-season.

“We’ve got some pretty good loads in and the boys are fit and firing and looking forward to games.”

Birchall suffered the injury in a training mishap in early February, where his knee became twisted in a tackle.

But despite the injury, which will see him miss 4-6 weeks, teammate Shiels wasn’t concerned about Birchall’s ability to make an impact early in the season proper.

“That was just an unlucky thing,” Shiels said of the injury.

“He’s the type of player though who can come in and get pretty fit in three or four weeks.”

In the interim, there are a number of candidates to replace the triple premiership defender, thanks to the depth in the list.

Free agent recruit James Frawley is one who is ready to step in for Birchall having fitted in seamlessly in his first pre-season with the Hawks since crossing from Melbourne.

But Shiels says there are a number of other options at the ready.

“Billy Hartung has had a great season along with Jono O’Rourke and James Frawley who have come across from other clubs,” he said.

“A few of the first year players – Teia Miles and ‘Howie’ [Daniel Howe] have progressed really well and are training the house down.

“So we’ve got a great list and the young blokes are really pushing up.”

The Hawks will be aiming for a third straight premiership in 2015 but Shiels says that is far from the minds of the players.

There is no complacency amongst the senior group despite winning back-to-back flags.

“I don’t think so,” Shiels said when asked about whether the group can get complacent.

“We’ve got great depth here and the young blokes have had a solid pre-season and are pushing up.

“With the list we’ve got and the depth, there’s no room for complacency amongst the senior group.”