Hawthorn will resume its 2020 campaign with a near full-strength side against Geelong on Friday night.
Having suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the club's pre-season hit-out against St Kilda in February, Blake Hardwick has successfully overcome the injury to take his place in the Round 2 side.
The defender will replace midfielder Jaeger O'Meara in the only change from the team that defeated Brisbane in the season opener.
O'Meara was unable to prove his fitness in time to take on the Cats following a minor fracture in his forehead.
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GM - Football Graham Wright said there was an overriding feeling of excitement within the playing group heading into the Cats clash.
"The boys are incredibly excited to make a return to the field on Friday night following a long lay-off," Wright said.
"Playing Geelong in Geelong is obviously a tough challenge and one we haven’t faced for a while as a club.
"But Clarko, our coaches and the players are determined to put in good performance.
"Hopefully we can do our members and supporters proud."
ROUND 2 TEAM
Geelong v Hawthorn
Friday 12th June, 7.50pm AEST
GMHBA Stadium
B: Sam Frost, James Frawley, Ben McEvoy
HB: Ben Stratton, James Sicily, Blake Hardwick
C: Ricky Henderson, Tom Mitchell, Isaac Smith
HF: Luke Breust, Tim O’Brien, Chad Wingard
F: Paul Puopolo, Jon Patton, Shaun Burgoyne
R: Jon Ceglar, James Worpel, Liam Shiels
INT: Harry Morrison, Tom Scully, Jack Gunston, Oliver Hanrahan
IN: Blake Hardwick
OUT: Jaeger O'Meara
