PREMIERSHIP stars Shaun Burgoyne, Cyril Rioli, James Frawley and Liam Shiels will return for Hawthorn’s NAB Challenge match against Richmond on Saturday afternoon.

The Hawks will be looking to go 2-0 in the NAB Challenge when they take on the Tigers at Beaconsfield’s Holm Park Recreation Reserve at 4.40pm.

Burgoyne, Rioli, Frawley and Shiels are four of seven changes from the 29-player squad which defeated Carlton in Launceston last Thursday.

Draftees Kieran Lovell and Blake Hardwick have also been named in the squad, as has second-year rookie Jermaine Miller-Lewis.

The side will be coached by Brett Ratten. 

GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said the changes were all part of the Hawks’ plan to build towards Round 1.

“The selections fit with our pre-season policy – we wanted our senior guys playing one of the first two NAB Challenge games,” Fagan said.

“We’re really looking to build towards NAB Three, when we want to play our strongest team ahead of Round 1.

“Again, it’s a really good chance to give some of our younger players an opportunity, and there’s still a really good mix of experience and youth in the squad.”

The squad contains 12 players from last year’s premiership team.

Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Isaac Smith, Luke Breust and Ben Stratton have all been rested, while Zac Webster (quad) and Kurt Heatherley (bruised heel) will miss through injury.

Key forward Jack Gunston, who also missed the Hawks' first NAB Challenge match, has also been ruled out with a shin injury.

SQUAD

Hawthorn v Richmond
Holm Park Recreation Reserve
Saturday 27 February
4.40pm

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