HAWTHORN has named a squad brimming with premiership stars as it ramps up preparations for Round 1.
The Hawks played a young side against Collingwood in last week’s NAB Challenge opener but will take a much different side into the second game against North Melbourne in Shepparton on Sunday.
Skipper Luke Hodge has been named to play his first game of the year alongside 18 of his premiership teammates, including Jarryd Roughead, Jordan Lewis and Bradley Hill who have been selected for their first hit-out after being named in last week’s squad but withdrawn prior to the game.
Cyril Rioli, Josh Gibson, Shaun Burgoyne, Brian Lake, Isaac Smith, Matthew Suckling and David Hale have also been included in the squad.
The Hawks will, meanwhile, get their first look at recruit Jonathan O’Rourke.
The former number two draft pick joined the Hawks via last year’s trade period, exchanged from GWS to Hawthorn for pick 18 in the national draft.
After making a modest start to his career in brown and gold, defender James Frawley has also been named for his second hit out of the year.
Veteran midfielder Sam Mitchell has been named in the 29-man squad after an outstanding performance in last week’s opener, where he was his side’s leading disposal winner with 28 touches.
Exciting youngster Jed Anderson has also been named after impressing in his return from shoulder surgery with 26 disposals and 10 inside 50s.
Hawthorn’s first pick in last year’s national draft, Daniel Howe, has been named for his second game with the club.
Premiership players Will Langford and Jonathan Simpkin have not been selected in this week’s squad after playing against the Pies in Tasmania, while draftees Teia Miles, Marc Pittonet, Jared Hardisty and Jermaine Miller-Lewis are also among those not selected.
Youngster Kaiden Brand also won’t play after it was confirmed he requires a shoulder reconstruction after a dislocation in game one.
NAB Challenge game 2 squad
North Melbourne v Hawthorn
Deakin Reserve, Shepparton
Sunday 8 March, 4.40pm
2. J.Roughead
3. J.Lewis
4. M. Suckling
5. S.Mitchell
6. J.Gibson
7. B.McEvoy
8. T.Duryea
9. S.Burgoyne
10. B.Hill
12. J.Frawley
13. J.ORourke
15. L.Hodge
16. I.Smith
17. B.Lake
18. J.Ceglar
19. J.Gunston
20. D.Hale
21. J.Sicily
22. L.Breust
24. B.Stratton
26. L.Shiels
28. P.Puopolo
31. A.Litherland
33. C.Rioli
35. S.Grimley
37. J.Anderson
39. A.Woodward
40 B.Hartung
41. D.Howe
Changes from last week’s team:
IN: Roughead, Lewis, Suckling, Gibson, Burgoyne, Hill, O’Rourke, Hodge, Smith, Lake, Hale, Rioli
OUT: Langford, Simpkin, Brand, Willsmore, Miles, Pittonet, Hardisty, Miller-Lewis
