The Box Hill Hawks return to VFL action Saturday afternoon, taking on the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium.

Clint Proctor’s travelling party will depart Melbourne for the Sunshine State with a host of impressive ins, with the four-and-three Hawks keen to launch themselves back into the competition’s top eight.

The brown and gold face a Suns side which holds the same win-loss record from their seven home and away matches to date; one that is a more dangerous proposition than that record suggests given the likelihood they’ll boast a bevy of AFL-listed talent and top draft picks.

An extended squad of 26 has been submitted to the VFL and from a Hawthorn perspective James Worpel headlines the possible inclusions.

Worpel could be making his first appearance in a Box Hill jumper since a breakout year in 2018.

He is joined on the wing by Finn Maginness, who has impressed at senior level in 2022.

The strong-bodied, hard-running midfielders would be a welcome addition to a on-ball brigade that will be without the likes of Daniel Howe, Josh Ward and Liam Shiels.

Club captain Hugh Beasley is the other big-ticket in, having overcome a hamstring strain sustained against Casey.

‘Beaser’ is joined by younger brother Charlie in the extended squad, with the latter rewarded for his excellent early season form for Old Trinity in the VAFA. It would be the younger Beasley’s second senior game for Box Hill – his first, funnily, coming against Gold Coast last year.

Further defensive reinforcement arrives in the form of the dashing Mason De Wit, who returns to the squad having missed the win against Richmond a fortnight ago.

Another pleasing addition for Box Hill fans is Vincent Adduci. Third in last season’s best and fairest and a member of the VFL’s team of the year in 2021, Adduci last featured for the Hawks in the round five win at Coburg.

A pair of youngsters could be vying for selection as the team’s 23rd man. Max Walton and Max Hall have won their places in the extended squad on the back of strong recent showings.

Walton has already featured twice this season, impressing in rounds two and three, while Hall has been building his form under the watchful eye of Gary Ayres for Montrose, consistently featuring among the Demons’ best.

You’ll be able to catch all the action of Box Hill’s first interstate trip since 2010 from 3pm via this link, while the Club’s official channels will also be covering the game.

Ins: F Maginness, J Worpel, H Beasley, C Beasley, M De Wit, V Adduci, M Walton, M Hall (NEW),

Outs: S Horner (injured), D Howe, J Ward, L Shiels, N Long