EAGER to return to the Hawthorn side for the first time in 18 months, defender Brendan Whitecross checked in for his flight to Launceston an hour earlier than his teammates.

On Sunday at Aurora Stadium against the Western Bulldogs, Whitecross will play his first senior game for the Hawks since the 2013 preliminary final, and coach Alastair Clarkson couldn't be more excited.

"It's a great story of resilience," Clarkson said on Saturday morning at Melbourne Airport.

"He's overcome some real hardship and we're hopeful this is just the first step back for him for some continuity in his footy for the next few years.

"We're just happy he's in the 22 and really excited there's a reward for some really hard work behind the scenes for the last 18 months.”

Over the past three seasons, the Hawks have played in three Grand Finals and won two flags.

During that time Whitecross has endured two reconstructions on his right knee.

The first time he ruptured his ACL was during the qualifying final against Collingwood in 2012, the second was in the final term of the Hawks’ preliminary final win over Geelong the following year.

"There's been a lot of euphoria around our footy club during that time and he's had to work really hard to try and deal with that as well as deal with coming back from his injury," Clarkson said.

The coach is yet to decide whether Whitecross will don the green vest in his first game back.

The 25-year-old was told he was in the team on Thursday morning with Clarkson opting to break the good news in front of the entire playing group and staff.

"It wasn't something I wanted to share with him one-on-one, I wanted 50 or 60 others around our football club, and staff, coaches as well," Clarkson said.

"They've all shared in the trauma of his injury. We announced it to the whole squad and support staff and there was a fair amount of excitement in the room."

Midfielder Sam Mitchell and defender Josh Gibson also return to the senior side for the game against the Bulldogs.