Hawthorn has made a late change ahead of its clash with Geelong on Sunday.

Grant Birchall has been withdrawn from the selected side after pulling up sore from last week’s game against Fremantle.

Daniel Howe is set to replace the key defender.

GM – Football Graham Wright said Birchall was given until the last minute to prove his fitness.

“Birch pulled up sore following the game with a bit of delayed onset muscle soreness,” Wright said.

“We want to be sure he is 100 per cent right before playing again, so we decided not to take the risk.”

Originally omitted from the senior side, Howe will return to the line-up in what will be his eighth appearance of 2019.