After more than three months on the sidelines due to injury, Ben McEvoy will make his return to the field on Sunday when Hawthorn hosts Adelaide at Marvel Stadium.
The captain is a confirmed starter while Denver Grainger-Barras, Josh Ward, Finn Maginness and Josh Morris are also among five inclusions for the Hawks.
McEvoy shapes as a welcome addition to the side after recovering from a neck injury that he sustained in Round 2.
Grainger-Barras re-joins the team for the first time since Round 11, while Ward’s recall comes off the back of an impressive VFL outing for Box Hill, where he finished with 27 touches.
The gutsy midfielder managed seven AFL games after making his debut in the season opener, but hasn't played a senior game since he sustained a concussion in Round 8 of the VFL.
Meanwhile, Maginness has earned another chance in the senior side after some strong form with Box Hill, averaging 26.3 disposals across four games.
Morris has also broken into the starting 22 after being listed as an emergency on several occasions this year.
The quintet will replace injured trio James Worpel (shoulder), Lachlan Bramble (back) and Sam Butler (shin), alongside Will Day (suspended) and Jack Gunston (personal).
Daniel Howe, Liam Shiels, Jai Serong and Kyle Hartigan will serve as emergencies.
Hawthorn’s Head of Football Rob McCartney said it will be great to see McEvoy pull on the brown and gold again on Sunday.
“Ben is a big part of our footy team, he’s a great leader and one that inspires the group through his actions,” McCartney said.
“He has shown a real determination during his recovery on the sidelines, he’s worked so incredibly hard to get back and obviously he’s pretty excited to be playing footy again.”
McCartney said while losing Worpel and Bramble to season-ending injuries was unfortunate, their absence also presents an opportunity for a few other younger Hawks.
“Wardy has been back playing in the VFL over the last couple of weeks and was clearly amongst Box Hill’s best players last week,” McCartney said.
“We’re excited to see what he can do in the backend of the season.
"Finn has also shown some really strong form in the VFL and we expect him to play a valuable role in our midfield rotations this weekend.
“It’s also great to see some reward for effort for Josh Morris who has been thereabouts in recent weeks including some medical sub opportunities, but now he gets his chance to start in the 22.
"Finally, it's pleasing to have Denver back for his 11th game this season. We're hoping to see him continue to build that balance between the offensive and defensive sides of his game at senior level."
The match will be broadcast live via the Seven Network, Fox Footy and Kayo Sports, with coverage starting from 3pm.
ROUND 17 TEAM
Hawthorn v Adelaide
Marvel Stadium
Sunday 10 July, 3.20pm
B: James Blanck, Jack Scrimshaw, Denver Grainger-Barras
HB: Jarman Impey, James Sicily, Blake Hardwick
C: Changkuoth Jiath, Jai Newcombe, Harry Morrison
HF: Luke Breust, Conor Nash, Mitch Lewis
F: Jacob Koschitzke, Ben McEvoy, Dylan Moore
R: Ned Reeves, Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O'Meara
INT (from): Connor Macdonald, Josh Ward, Finn Maginness, Josh Morris
Emer: Daniel Howe, Liam Shiels, Jai Serong, Kyle Hartigan
In: McEvoy, Morris, Maginness, Grainger-Barras, Ward
Out: Worpel (shoulder), Bramble (back), Butler (shin), Day (suspended), Gunston (personal)
