HAWTHORN will be forced to make at least one change for their final home-and-away game for 2016 against Collingwood on Sunday.
Ruckman Jonathon Ceglar has been cruelly struck down with a torn ACL, ruling him out for the remainder of the season as he requires a knee reconstruction.
The Hawks have a couple of options with which to replace Ceglar, with a number of players pushing their claims in the VFL over the weekend.
Ryan Schoenmakers has now played two VFL games after overcoming a groin injury which has hampered his 2016 campaign, with the key forward one of the most logical choices to come into the side over the next couple of weeks if fit.
If the 2015 premiership player is to have an impact at the pointy end of the season, he would need to push his way into the AFL side soon.
Understudy ruckman Marc Pittonet has played two AFL games this season and appears to be the next in line in terms of genuine ruck options at Waverley Park behind Ceglar and Ben McEvoy.
At 202cm and 101kg, Pittonet is equipped to match it with opposition big men and has showed promise in his two games at senior level – particularly in his second game against Essendon when he laid seven tackles and was aggressive in the contest.
Jack Fitzpatrick, who was recruited by the Hawks over the pre-season from Melbourne, also presents as a genuine chance to come into the team should Hawthorn look to add a player who can play in the ruck and be a goal kicking option.
Despite some injury concerns this season, the former Demon has been in good form at Box Hill, kicking seven goals in his last three appearances at VFL level.
Will Langford is also a chance to return to the side after being a late withdrawal from last Friday night’s game against West Coast with illness.
Langford has had to bide his time on the fringes of the team this season, but the football he was able to produce at the end of 2014 would still be fresh in the mind of Hawthorn fans.
Jonathan O’Rourke (30 disposals), Angus Litherland (25 disposals) and Tim O’Brien (10 marks and two goals) were among the best players for Box Hill in their loss to Collingwood last Saturday and are keeping the pressure on for spots in the Hawks’ AFL side.
Hawthorn will name its side for Sunday’s clash with Collingwood at the MCG on Thursday.