HAWTHORN escaped unscathed on the injury front last week against the Sydney Swans, but could still make changes to their side ahead of the Round 18 clash with Richmond on Sunday.

Will Langford was Box Hill’s best player on his return to the side after missing a couple of weeks with a punctured lung.

The hard-nosed midfielder racked up 29 disposals and two goals in the Hawks’ VFL loss to Essendon last Saturday.

The competition for midfield spots has been fierce at Hawthorn this season, with a number of young players pushing their case for selection in the senior side.

Billy Hartung was omitted before the Hawks’ clash with the Swans at the SCG last week, but certainly did his chances of a recall no harm with a solid outing for Box Hill.

The speedster had 29 disposals and ran hard all day, with six inside 50s and five rebound 50s a reflection of how well he covered the ground.

Hartung could be a handy inclusion this week should the Hawks look to inject more pace into the midfield alongside Bradley Hill and Isaac Smith.

Key forward Tim O’Brien is also doing his best to earn a recall from the VFL.

O’Brien hasn’t played in the senior side for two weeks after withdrawing from the senior side with illness prior to the Round 16 clash with Port Adelaide.

The forward clunked nine marks and booted three goals in a solid days’ work at Windy Hill, but also laid six tackles – exceptional numbers from a big man.

Young midfielder Daniel Howe is also in the mix to return against the Tigers, after being given a week off after a calf complaint.

The second-year player has played ten games at AFL level this season, averaging 14.9 disposals per game playing both in the middle and in defence.

Brendan Whitecross made a long-awaited return to the AFL side last week and was impressive, collecting 15 disposals and six marks.

The luckless utility is a good chance to stay in the side on the back of his solid performance while midfielder Liam Shiels recovers from a hamstring injury sustained against Port Adelaide.

Hawthorn will name its squad to take on Richmond tomorrow, before finalising the team line up on Friday.