Hawthorn has made two changes to the side that was narrowly defeated by Port Adelaide last Saturday night, naming Ryan Schoenmakers and Liam Shiels for its Round 5 clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
Schoenmakers will play his first game for the Hawks in 2015 replacing the injured Brian Lake who is set to miss four weeks after sustaining a medial ligament strain against Port Adelaide.
Following Lake’s injury on Saturday night, Schoenmakers was withdrawn from Box Hill’s VFL clash last Sunday.
The Hawks will face a big task restricting tall forwards Drew Petrie, Jarred Waite and Ben Browne and are hopeful Schoenmakers will add the needed height to assist Josh Gibson and Ben Stratton in defence.
Liam Shiels will also return to the team after recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained in the Hawk’s season opener against Geelong.
Shiels will add some run to the Hawk’s midfield in what is sure to be a fast-paced game under the roof at Etihad.
This will be the first time the two teams have met since Round 16 last year when the Roos secured a 20-point victory.
Brendan Whitecross has been omitted from the side.
Round 5
North Melbourne v Hawthorn
Saturday 2 May
Etihad Stadium, 7.20pm
B: Burgoyne Gibson Stratton
HB: Birchall Schoenmakers Duryea
C: Lewis Mitchell Hill
HF: Smith Gunston Puopolo
F: McEvoy Roughead Rioli
Foll: Ceglar Hodge Lewis
I/C: Breust Hartung Shiels Suckling
Emergencies:, Whitecross, O’Brien, Litherland
In: Shoenmakers, Shiels
Out: Lake (knee), Whitecross (omitted)
Find out all you need to know about Round 5 match-day.
