ENCOURAGING signs from some of Hawthorn’s young midfielders has Brett Ratten excited about not only tomorrow’s NAB Challenge match, but the season ahead.

Ratten will coach the Hawks’ in their second NAB Challenge match against Richmond at Beaconsfield, with a combination of exciting young talent and premiership experience at his disposal.

He said the likes of Jonathan O’Rourke, Daniel Howe and Billy Hartung have all impressed this pre-season, while the team will also welcome back stars Cyril Rioli and Shaun Burgoyne as preparations build towards Round 1.

“Jono O’Rourke’s preseason has been really good. He had about 30 touches in our intra-club game and played really well,” he said.

“Daniel Howe can go through the midfield and Billy Hartung can as well, so we’ve got some depth there which is really good.”

“We get Shaun and Cyril back in which is great, but it’s really important that we get a lot of game time into our list,” he said. 

“In my time at Hawthorn it’s been a real focus for us to make sure that by the time we get to Round 1 we have a fit list, we’re ready to play and we can really set ourselves up for the season.”

Ratten said 2015 Norm Smith Medallist Rioli was tracking well in his pre-season training, but would be eased back into the game against the Tigers.

“He’s going well. He’ll ease back into the game and play the game time that’s required,” Ratten said.

“He’s had a good pre-season, most sessions he’s been on the training track and he’s done everything right.”

Ratten, entering his fourth season as an assistant coach with the Hawks, said the match against Richmond was another opportunity for young players to put their hand up to fill the void left by injured forward Jarryd Roughead. 

Youngsters James Sicily, Tim O’Brien and Jack Fitzpatrick are all in line to fill the key forward role in the absence of the four-time premiership star.

“They’re taking good steps forward, learning about senior footy and without Roughy there I think one of those guys (Sicily, O’Brien, and Fitzpatrick) will step up,” he said.

Hawthorn’s second NAB Challenge game against Richmond will kick off at Holm Park Recreation Reserve in Beaconsfield tomorrow at 4.40pm, with the game officially a sell-out.