HAWTHORN will welcome back Sam Mitchell and Paul Puopolo for Saturday’s match against Carlton at the MCG.
Midfielder Mitchell and small forward Puopolo both return after missing last week’s win against Brisbane Lions, with illness and an ankle injury respectively.
The experienced duo will replace Luke Breust (rested) and Billy Hartung (omitted) for the Hawks’ final home-and-away game for 2015.
GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said Breust was in need of a spell, while Hartung would benefit from playing more game time with Box Hill Hawks this week.
“We’re giving Luke a spell,” Fagan said.
“He’s played every game this year and we think it’s a good opportunity on the verge of finals to make sure he’s fresh.
“With Billy, on the back of being the sub for a couple of weeks in a row, we’d like him to go back to Box Hill and get more game time heading towards finals.”
The Hawks will be determined to win this week to enter the finals on the back of winning form.
If the Hawks beat the Blues, they remain a chance to finish in the top two. From there, the Hawks would require St Kilda to cause an upset against West Coast Eagles on Saturday night to steal a home final.
Saturday’s match will also mark key defender Brian Lake’s 50th in the brown and gold.
The 33-year-old joined the Hawks prior to the 2013 season and has played 246 career games, after representing the Western Bulldogs on 197 occasions from 2002 to 2012.
Lake has played in two premierships with the Hawks, winning the Norm Smith Medal in 2013.
Round 23 Team
Hawthorn v Carlton
MCG
Saturday 5 September, 4.40pm
B: Ben Stratton, Brian Lake, Josh Gibson
HB: Grant Birchall, James Frawley, Shaun Burgoyne
C: Bradley Hill, Sam Mitchell, Isaac Smith
HF: Cyril Rioli, Jack Gunston, Liam Shiels
F: David Hale, Jarryd Roughead, Paul Puopolo
Foll: Ben McEvoy, Will Langford, Jordan Lewis
I/C: James Sicily, Matt Suckling, Taylor Duryea, Daniel Howe
Emer: Luke Breust, Ryan Schoenmakers, Angus Litherland
In: Sam Mitchell, Paul Puopolo
Out: Luke Breust (rested), Billy Hartung (omitted)
Milestone: Brian Lake - 50 club games
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