There are feel-good stories everywhere you look after Hawthorn named its extended squad ahead of the club’s clash with Brisbane on Sunday.
Hawks midfielder Tom Mitchell will make his long-awaited return to the field this weekend after sitting out the entirety of the 2019 season with a broken leg.
The 2018 Brownlow Medallist will take his place in the side’s midfield brigade alongside reigning Peter Crimmins Medallist James Worpel and Jaeger O’Meara.
Having crossed to Hawthorn in last year’s trade period, both Sam Frost and Jonathon Patton will make their debuts in the brown and gold on Sunday.
Frost and Patton will form integral parts of Hawthorn’s spine with the key position players set to line-up at centre half-back and full-forward respectively.
GM – Football Graham Wright said the club was excited to kick off the season’s proceedings on Sunday.
“It has obviously been a pretty unique week of preparation for us but since finding out we had the green light for Round 1 on Wednesday, there has been a huge amount of excitement around the place,” Wright said.
“It’s great news to see Tom named in the side – he has worked incredibly hard for over 12 months for this day to come so we are very happy for him.
“To have Sam and Jon making their debuts for the club is also another positive.
“We will have our work cut out for us on Sunday against a very good side in the Lions but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Michael Hartley is also a chance to make his club debut having been named on the extended bench.
Hawthorn will announce its Round 1 team on Friday at 5pm.
ROUND 1 SQUAD
Hawthorn v Brisbane
Sunday 22nd March, 3.20pm AEDT
MCG
B: Ben Stratton, James Frawley, Ben McEvoy
HB: James Sicily, Sam Frost, Harry Morrison
C: Tom Scully, Jaeger O’Meara, Ricky Henderson
HF: Luke Breust, Shaun Burgoyne, Isaac Smith
F: Tim O’Brien, Jon Patton, Chad Wingard
R: Jon Ceglar, James Worpel, Tom Mitchell
INT: Jack Gunston, Liam Shiels, Oliver Hanrahan, Paul Puopolo, Michael Hartley, Jack Scrimshaw, James Cousins, Conor Nash
