HAVING made it to the final match of the season, Hawthorn must now confront the most difficult decision of grand final week: who to play and who not.
The fitness of leading goalkicker Jack Gunston - if he is available to return - could make coach Alastair Clarkson's task of selecting a side for Saturday's decider with West Coast a torturous one.
Ruckman Jonathon Ceglar and midfielder Will Langford are also among a host of Hawks waiting in the wings, who will be desperate to push their cases for selection.
Shaun Burgoyne, who has three grand final winner's medals from five appearances with Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, predicts an arduous gathering at the selection table.
"Those match committee meetings go for two to three hours most weeks, they'll probably push it out to four or five hours this week," he said.
"I know last year there were some heartbreaks.
"We'll just have to deal with that in four or five days, whenever the decision is made, we'll deal with it then."
Last year, Cyril Rioli overcame a hamstring injury to replace Jonathan Simpkin, who had played 18 games through the year.
However, Gunston's return is not certain yet, after injuring his ankle in the qualifying loss to West Coast and needing to pass a fitness test.
While forecasting tough selection calls, Burgoyne said one decision was likely to be a grand final crowd-pleaser.
The AFL has determined Hawthorn will wear brown and gold stripes on Saturday, ensuring the much-derided "power rangers" strip used for away days against West Coast won't be seen.
"I think everyone's happy we're wearing our traditional strip; that's what people want to see us running around in," he said.
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