HAWTHORN will be desperate to bounce back from last week’s loss, and it may be an unchanged side which gets the chance.

The Hawks emerged relatively unscathed from Friday night’s loss to the Sydney Swans, and with an eight-day break, it should be a fit and firing Hawks’ line-up which takes on Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday.

Tim O’Brien was the lone worry on the injury front from last week’s match, however GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan is confident the key forward will be available for selection.

If the Hawks opt for changes, there have been a number of players in strong form at VFL level.

Matt Spangher, Angus Litherland, Brendan Whitecross, Jonathan O’Rourke and Teia Miles were all named among Box Hill’s best on the weekend.

Spangher is now four games back from injury, and has been named among the Hawks’ best in back to back matches as a key defender. However, the 2014 premiership star can also go forward, and this flexibility may throw him into the selection mix.

Litherland has impressed on multiple occasions at VFL level since being omitted from the senior side after Round 4, while Whitecross and Miles are yet to see senior action this year, but continue to be dependable performers for Box Hill.

After a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, O’Rourke collected 23 disposals on his return at the weekend. Another returning Hawk – key forward Ryan Schoenmakers – also showed some promising signs, finishing with a dozen disposals and a goal.

Draftee Kieran Lovell could be another player in the mix, having had two matches at VFL level since his most recent AFL appearance.