BRADLEY Hill will return for Hawthorn’s clash with Carlton at Etihad Stadium tomorrow night.
Hill has been joined in the Hawks’ line-up by Jonathan O’Rourke, who will play his first AFL match since Round 2.
The midfield duo has replaced Liam Shiels (corked quad) and Ben Stratton (ankle), who are both out with injuries sustained during the Hawks’ Round 16 win over Sydney Swans.
GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said Hill was right to play after missing the Swans’ match, while O’Rourke had been in strong form in the VFL.
“Bradley has overcome a corked calf and trained all week, while Jonathan has been in really consistent form at Box Hill and this is a great opportunity for him,” Fagan said.
“Jonathan has been a consistent performer over the past 10 weeks at VFL level and thoroughly deserves this opportunity.”
Fagan said Shiels’ and Stratton’s injuries would not keep them out long-term.
“Liam and Ben had injuries coming out of the game with the Swans, and with the six-day turnaround they haven’t been able to recover in time,” he said.
The match against Carlton will also mark David Hale’s 100th AFL game in Hawthorn colours.
***
Key defender James Frawley is set to return from a shoulder injury through the VFL on Sunday.
Frawley has been named in the Box Hill Hawks side to face Werribee, and will play provided he gets through a training session on Saturday.
Fellow defender Taylor Duryea did not overcome a shoulder injury in time to face the Blues, while Will Langford has suffered a setback with his knee injury.
Fagan said Langford would “miss a few weeks” after injuring the medial ligament in his knee on Tuesday.
More details about Langford’s injury will be available in the club's Bupa Recovery Report next week.
Round 17 Team
Carlton v Hawthorn
Etihad Stadium
Friday 24 July, 7.50pm
B: Matt Spangher, Brian Lake, Sam Mitchell
HB: Grant Birchall, Josh Gibson, Angus Litherland
C: Bradley Hill, Shaun Burgoyne, Isaac Smith
HF: Cyril Rioli, Ryan Schoenmakers, Matt Suckling
F: Jack Gunston, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust
Foll: David Hale, Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis
I/C: Paul Puopolo, Billy Hartung, Jonathan O’Rourke, Ben McEvoy
Emer: Jed Anderson, James Sicily, Daniel Howe
In: Bradley Hill, Jonathan O’Rourke
Out: Ben Stratton (ankle), Liam Shiels (corked calf)
Milestone: David Hale – 100th club game.
David will become 37th player in VFL/AFL history to play 100 games at two clubs, having previously played 129 games with North Melbourne.
RELATED
Woodward can bounce back, says Clarkson
