Hawthorn has finalised its team for Sunday’s season opener against Essendon at the MCG, with four fresh faces added to the line-up.
As announced on Thursday, recruits Fergus Greene, Karl Amon and Lloyd Meek, along with top draft pick Cam Mackenzie have all been named to play their first games in the brown and gold.
Greene’s debut with Hawthorn represents a second chance at AFL, with the 25-year-old previously playing five games for the Western Bulldogs after being drafted in 2016.
A powerhouse at VFL level in recent years, Greene is the latest Box Hill prodigy to have made the move to Hawthorn.
Greene kicked 53 goals from 17 games in 2022 which saw him finish the VFL campaign as the second-leading goalkicker in the competition.
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Amon, who arrived at Hawthorn following the trade period last year, will begin a new phase in his career after playing 124 games over nine seasons for Port Adelaide.
The 27-year-old will play his first game for Hawthorn at the peak of his powers following a career-best season, where he topped his former club’s Brownlow vote-getters, after averaging just shy of 24 disposals per game.
Meek, who also arrived via the trade period, has been named in the final 22 as Hawthorn’s starting ruckman.
The 203cm giant will be thrust into greater opportunity in the brown and gold, having begun his career with Fremantle, playing 15 games.
Draftee Cam Mackenzie - who was Hawthorn’s first selection in the 2022 NAB AFL Draft with Pick 7 - will also make his AFL debut on Sunday.
The 18-year-old has turned heads in the Hawks' pre-season outings, producing a particular impressive practice game performance against Collingwood earlier this month where he finished with 24 disposals.
After their 2022 campaigns were cut short due to injury, Chad Wingard and Sam Frost will play for the first time since Round 13 last year, while James Worpel also makes a return to the side for the first time since Round 16.
Conor Nash, Ned Long, Jack Scrimshaw and Tyler Brockman make up the club’s emergency list for Round 1, with one of those players to be named the medical sub one hour prior to the match.
Head of Football Rob McCartney said an exciting weekend awaits for Hawks supporters as the club continues to move into a new era.
“We can't wait to get back to the 'G in front of our loyal members and fans in what will hopefully be an entertaining showdown," McCartney said.
"The average age of our side going into Sunday's game is 24.5 years so we've named several youngsters who we think are more than ready for their opportunities.
“There's a great feeling of anticipation around the club ahead of Sunday, we've had a big pre-season and I think the group is keen to put practice now into action."
The clash will begin at 3.20pm and will be televised live on Channel 7.
ROUND 1 TEAM
Hawthorn v Essendon
Sunday 19 March, 3.20pm AEDT
MCG
FB: Changkuoth Jiath, James Blanck, Sam Frost
HB: Jarman Impey, James Sicily, Will Day
C: Lachlan Bramble, Jai Newcombe, Karl Amon
HF: Cam Mackenzie, Jacob Koschitzke, Luke Breust
FF: Chad Wingard, Fergus Greene, Dylan Moore
R: Lloyd Meek, Finn Maginness, James Worpel
INT: Ned Reeves, Josh Ward, Blake Hardwick, Connor Macdonald
Emer: Conor Nash, Ned Long, Jack Scrimshaw, Tyler Brockman
New: Karl Amon (Port Adelaide), Lloyd Meek (Fremantle), Fergus Greene (Box Hill), Cam Mackenzie
