Hawthorn has made two changes to its line up ahead of Friday night’s match against Western Bulldogs.
First year player Harry Morrison has been named to make his AFL debut, while Vice Captain Liam Shiels will return after missing Round 22 due to hip soreness.
GM-Football Operations Jason Burt says the inclusions will add further intrigue to what is already a special occasion for Hawthorn supporters.
“There’s certainly a lot for Hawthorn fans to look forward to this Friday night,” said Burt.
“We’ve got a debutant, a bloke celebrating his 50th game (Jaeger), and two club legends hanging up the boots, so there’s certainly going to be a lot of passion in this one.”
Read: Jaeger to play 50th game
After an impressive season that has seen the 18-year-old average 20 disposals, four tackles and seven marks a game, Burt says Morrison thoroughly deserves his call up.
“Harry has had an outstanding year as a young player coming through Box Hill’s ranks.
“He’s a great kid who works really hard both on the training track and on game day, so we’re really excited to see what he can produce.”
Former Crow Ricky Henderson is set to miss due to back soreness, while young defender Ryan Burton’s season is also over after injuring his foot in last week’s clash.
ROUND 23 TEAM
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs
Etihad Stadium
Friday 25 August, 7.50pm
B: Shaun Burgoyne, Kaiden Brand, Blake Hardwick
HB: Luke Hodge, James Sicily, Jack Gunston
C: Isaac Smith, Tom Mitchell, Billy Hartung
HF: Ryan Schoenmakers, Tim O’Brien, Paul Puopolo
F: Luke Breust, Jarryd Roughead, Jaeger O’Meara
R: Ben McEvoy, Daniel Howe, Liam Shiels
INT: Taylor Duryea, Will Langford, Conor Glass, Harry Morrison
Emer: Brendan Whitecross, Teia Miles, Marc Pittonet
Changes:
IN: Liam Shiels, Harry Morrison
OUT: Ricky Henderson (back), Ryan Burton (foot)
New: Morrison (Murray Bushrangers)
Milestone: O’Meara – 50 games
