HAWTHORN will have a number of tough decisions to make at the selection table this week, with Liam Shiels, Ben Stratton and Taylor Duryea all set to return from injury.
Shiels (corked calf) and Stratton (ankle) missed the Hawks’ Round 17 win over Carlton, while Duryea has spent the past two weeks on the sidelines after injuring his shoulder in Round 15 against Fremantle.
GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said all three would definitely be in the frame to face Richmond on Friday night.
He said Shiels and Stratton had overcome niggling injuries sustained in Round 16 against Sydney Swans.
“They were relatively minor injuries, they possibly could have played at a pinch (against Carlton) but we just wanted to give them the opportunity to recover,” he said.
Fagan said Duryea’s shoulder injury had also recovered in time to take on the Tigers.
“His shoulder’s pretty good I think – he’s another one who should be ready to come back online,” he said.
“(It’s a) difficult job for the selectors this week.”
James Frawley could also be in line to return to the senior side against the Tigers, after playing a half for Box Hill Hawks on Sunday.
It was Frawley’s first match since dislocating his shoulder against Essendon in Round 13.
“We just wanted him to get half a game under his belt and he was able to do that,” Fagan said.
“He’s put his hand up for selection, it’s just one of those decisions now that the match committee need to make later in the week.”
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