After more than 12 months on the sidelines, ruckman Jonathon Ceglar is expected to complete a full pre-season program ahead of the 2018 season.
Ceglar underwent a knee reconstruction after rupturing his ACL in Round 22 2016, and did not take to the field during Hawthorn's 2017 campaign.
"Cegs was very close to getting back into the ball program," said Russell.
"We decided it was too fine a line to get him back, so we've set him for the start of pre-season.
"He should be doing skills in December, and then getting pretty much a full pre-season in preparation for next year."
Watch the above video for updates on Stratton, Birchall, Rioli and more as they head into their off season.
