JACK Gunston appears likely to make a shock return for the Hawks in Sunday’s blockbuster against Fremantle after being named in an extended squad on Thursday night.
The premiership forward is one of five potential inclusions for Hawthorn, with full back Brian Lake also named in the 25-man squad.
The duo are joined by youngsters Angus Litherland, Ben Ross and Tim O’Brien as possible inclusions, while Jarryd Roughead (suspension) and Billy Hartung (omitted) are the only confirmed outs at this stage.
The squad will be trimmed to 22 at 5pm on Friday.
Gunston was expected to miss up to three weeks with a knee injury but has missed just one after making a quicker-than-expected recovery.
GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan first revealed the forward’s chances at playing on Tuesday when he said he’d made quick progress from the injury.
The forward trained with his teammates on Thursday at Waverley Park.
Lake could come straight back into the senior team after serving a four-match suspension.
Coach Alastair Clarkson said earlier this week the Hawks were unsure whether to bring the Norm Smith medallist straight back into the AFL side given he has missed five weeks due to suspension and a bye.
He has been named on the extended interchange.
Impressive young defender Angus Litherland could also return after being a surprise omission last week, while young key forward Tim O’Brien is in the frame to replace the suspended Roughead.
O’Brien was named in the best for VFL affiliate Box Hill in their win over Frankston last Sunday with 10 disposals, seven tackles, six marks and two goals.
Midfielder Ben Ross could add depth to the Hawthorn midfield to face the Dockers on a very long Patersons Stadium.
The squad will be trimmed to 22 on Friday and announced on hawthornfc.com.au at 5pm.
Round 21
Fremantle v Hawthorn
Sunday 17 August
Patersons Stadium, 2.40pm (local time, 4.40pm Melbourne time)
B: Duryea Gibson Spangher
HB: Burgoyne Stratton Birchall
C: Suckling Mitchell Smith
HF: Hodge Schoenmakers Hill
F: Puopolo Hale Breust
Foll: McEvoy Lewis Shiels
Int from: Lake Langford Ross Litherland Simpkin O'Brien Gunston
IN: B.Lake , B.Ross , J.Gunston , A.Litherland , T.O'Brien
OUT: J.Roughead (Suspension) , B.Hartung (Omitted)
