ASSISTANT coach Cameron Bruce says Hawthorn's senior players will play quality game time in their final NAB Challenge game against North Melbourne on Saturday night.
The Hawks have included a host of stars for their last pre-season match at Etihad Stadium, with skipper Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Jack Gunston, Isaac Smith and Luke Breust among them.
Bruce, who will coach the side against the Kangaroos, said he expected the Hawks’ premiership stars to play most of the game.
With the exception of injured spearhead Jarryd Roughead, every 2015 premiership player still on the list is in the squad of 27.
“They’ll (the senior players) be playing the majority of the game. Most sides are going in with a full dress rehearsal outlook,” he said.
“We’ll be looking forward to those guys playing good quality game time, getting used to what’s coming up for the season ahead.”
Bruce said Gunston has recovered from the shin injury that kept him out of the side against Richmond, with the key forward ready to play against the Kangaroos.
“Jack is ready to go. He’s had a really good week on the training track, so we’re looking forward to him getting some valuable game time and getting some synergy with the forwards that are in the mix (for Round 1)," he said.
Bruce said it was another opportunity for players to push their claim for a Round 1 spot and cover the loss of Jarryd Roughead.
“We expect someone to step into (Roughead’s) role and the collective group to make up for the loss of Roughy,” he said.
The Hawks’ assistant coach was hopeful that young forward James Sicily would be able to make the most of the chance that Roughead’s absence has presented.
“Sicily has been given that opportunity, hopefully he takes it with both hands," Bruce said.
