HAWTHORN will regain two triple-premiership players for Friday night’s blockbuster against Adelaide Crows at the MCG.
Key defender and dual Peter Crimmins Medallist Josh Gibson has overcome the hamstring soreness which saw him miss last week’s win against St Kilda, while Bradley Hill has recovered from a wrist injury and will play his first game for 2016.
CLARKSON: I'm not going anywhere
GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said Gibson and Hill were both important inclusions.
“Gibbo has obviously recovered from his hamstring soreness and is an automatic inclusion,” Fagan said.
“We’re really happy to have him back for this important clash against Adelaide.
“Hilly hasn’t played any football since the NAB Challenge due to his injury, but he’s been able to maintain a really high fitness level.
“He’s in great shape and will add some more run to the team, which will be important against the Crows on the MCG. He’s put his best foot forward and is really keen to play.”
With Gibson and Hill returning, young Hawks Daniel Howe and Angus Litherland have made way.
Both will play in Box Hill Hawks’ VFL clash with Coburg on Saturday.
The match also marks Shaun Burgoyne’s 300th at AFL level.
Burgoyne played 157 games with his original club, Port Adelaide, and has played 142 games as a Hawk.
The four-time premiership player (2004 – Port Adelaide; 2013, 2014, 2015 – Hawthorn) and one-time All Australian (2006) will become the fifth indigenous player to reach 300 games.
#SILK300: Class of '09 - Gibson on Burgoyne
ROUND 5 TEAM
Hawthorn v Adelaide
MCG
Friday 22 April, 7.50pm
B: Shaun Burgoyne, James Frawley, Taylor Duryea
HB: Josh Gibson, Ben Stratton, Grant Birchall
C: Liam Shiels, Jordan Lewis, Isaac Smith
HF: Luke Breust, Tim O’Brien, Paul Puopolo
F: James Sicily, Jack Gunston, Cyril Rioli
Foll: Ben McEvoy, Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge
Int: Bradley Hill, Jonathon Ceglar, Billy Hartung, Will Langford
Emer: Brendan Whitecross, Daniel Howe, Kaiden Brand
In: Josh Gibson, Bradley Hill
Out: Daniel Howe, Angus Litherland (both omitted)
