FORGOTTEN Hawthorn big man Ryan Schoenmakers is ready to kick-start his stalled career in Saturday night's clash against North Melbourne, his teammate Grant Birchall says.

Injuries have cut a swathe through the Hawks' key defensive stocks and a medial ligament strain suffered by fullback Brian Lake might have finally opened the door for Schoenmakers.

The 24-year-old was withdrawn from Box Hill's VFL clash last Sunday after Lake went down, and he could be called up to play his first AFL match since round 23 last year.

"They pulled him out of the game last week, so he's available for selection," Birchall told AFL.com.au.

"We've got a few injuries, but we coped with it quite well last year and all clubs at some stage get some injuries.

"We just have to deal with it as best we can."

Plenty has happened since Schoenmakers' last senior appearance.

Just days after he watched from the stands as Hawthorn won back-to-back flags, his named was floated in a potential trade to Adelaide.

The Hawks had just recruited free agent James Frawley from Melbourne, casting further doubt over Schoenmakers' ability to break into the best 22.

But the South Australian native decided to fight for his future at Waverley, and he's waited patiently for his chance this season after being named an emergency in all four rounds.

But Lake's injury will now see a major restructure of Hawthorn's undersized defence, which will have to combat North's dangerous tall forwards Drew Petrie (197cm), Jarrad Waite (194cm) and Ben Brown (200cm) at Etihad Stadium.

At 195cm, Schoenmakers has the height to match the Roos' big men, although the 91kg Hawk has been criticised in the past for struggling in one-on-one contests against the League's power forwards – an area he has focused on improving over pre-season.

"Yeah, he has. He's had a great summer," Birchall said.

"He's probably been unfairly criticised a little bit, particularly in his first couple of years at the club when he was only a kid and he's been playing on the big gorillas up forward.

"So he's going well. Like I said, he's fresh and available for selection, so we'll see how he goes."

Despite the pile-up of injuries to four key backmen – with James Frawley (pectoral), Matt Spangher (hamstring) and Kaiden Brand (shoulder) also currently sidelined – Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson still has options up his sleeve.

Developing forward Tim O'Brien was thrown back for Box Hill last weekend, while athletic 193cm New Zealand project player Kurt Heatherley could come under consideration to make his debut.

But, irrespective of personnel, Birchall said defenders Josh Gibson and Ben Stratton (both 189cm) would need help against the Roos, who upset the reigning premiers by 20 points at Etihad Stadium in round 16 last year.

"They line-up quite tall in their forward line so there's a fair chance those guys will have to play on those big guys and the other defenders and midfielders have to help them out as well," Birchall said.

"If we can get some sort of delay or pressure on the footy through the middle of the ground it will certainly help out our defenders.

"That will be a focus this week."