HAWTHORN has confirmed two changes to face West Coast Eagles in Sunday’s grand rematch at the MCG.
Jonathon Ceglar returns to the side after being a late withdrawal in Round 1 due to a back spasm, while second-year player Daniel Howe has been included for his fifth AFL game.
Captain Luke Hodge is out of the Hawks’ side which lost to Geelong in Round 1 with an arm injury, while debutant ruckman Marc Pittonet has been omitted.
Experienced utility Brendan Whitecross and yet-to-debut duo Kaiden Brand and Blake Hardwick have been named as emergencies.
GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said Ceglar and Howe would be important inclusions against the Eagles.
“’Cegs’ has obviously recovered from his injury and is right to go,” Fagan said.
“It’s great to have a more experienced player coming back in to face Nic Naitanui, who was really strong last week. Marc Pittonet competed really well for for us against the Cats and we’re sure he will benefit from that opportunity down the track.
“Dan comes in for his fifth senior game, and he plays similar roles to Luke Hodge.
WATCH: Hodge confident young Hawks can deliver
“He’s had a really good pre-season and will be looking forward to making the most of this opportunity.”
With Hodge, Jarryd Roughead, Liam Shiels and Bradley Hill on the sidelines, it’s a younger Hawks’ team that will face the Eagles.
Seven of the Hawks’ 22 – Angus Litherland, Billy Hartung, James Sicily, Jonathan O’Rourke, Will Langford, Ceglar and Howe – have played less than 50 games, however the remaining 15 were all part of last year’s premiership side.
The Hawks will be looking to bounce back after a 30-point Round 1 loss to Geelong, while the Eagles enter the match on the back of a 64-point win against Brisbane.
ROUND 2 TEAM
Hawthorn v West Coast Eagles
MCG
Sunday 3 April, 3.20pm
B: Ben Stratton, James Frawley, Angus Litherland
HB: Shaun Burgoyne, Josh Gibson, Grant Birchall
C: Billy Hartung, Jordan Lewis, Isaac Smith
HF: Luke Breust, Ryan Schoenmakers, Paul Puopolo
F: James Sicily, Jack Gunston, Cyril Rioli
R: Ben McEvoy, Sam Mitchell, Jonathan O’Rourke
Interchange: Daniel Howe, Jonathon Ceglar, Taylor Duryea, Will Langford
Emergencies: Kaiden Brand, Blake Hardwick, Brendan Whitecross
In: Howe, Ceglar
Out: Hodge (fractured arm), Pittonet (omitted)
