HAWTHORN will welcome back two premiership stars from injury for Saturday night’s blockbuster against Sydney at the MCG, while it will blood its sixth league debutant of the year.

The Hawks have made three changes for the top-of-the-table clash, with Josh Gibson to make his long awaited return from a pectoral injury, while Bradley Hill is back after recovering from a sore knee and Alex Woodward finally gets his chance at senior level.

The Hawks have, however, lost improving defender Matt Spangher to injury, while small defender Taylor Duryea and midfielder Ben Ross have been omitted from the side that beat Adelaide by 12 points two weeks ago.

Gibson hasn’t played since Round 8 when he suffered the injury against the Swans at ANZ Stadium but after training strongly this week has been brought straight back into the side.

Last year’s best and fairest winner has been back in full training for a month after recovering from surgery to repair the torn pec but has been able to keep up his conditioning through running and bike sessions throughout his rehab.

His return is timely for the Hawks, particularly given the loss of Spangher for Saturday night.

Gibson will fill a key defensive post and likely spend time on Lance Franklin, who has been in outstanding form for the Swans.

Hill is also a welcome addition to the Hawthorn side, with Coach Alastair Clarkson declaring the side has missed his run through the midfield.

The premiership wingman has overcome the knee soreness that saw him be pulled at the last minute from the team that lost to North Melbourne in Round 16.

The dynamic youngster is one of Hawthorn’s prime movers and is ranked number one at the Club for inside 50s, while averaging a career-best 21.4 disposals per game.

He has trained strongly this week.

Luckless midfielder Woodward finally gets his chance after strong and consistent performances with VFL affiliate, Box Hill.

Woodward has endured two knee reconstructions since joining Hawthorn via the 2011 National Draft, where he was selected with pick 53.

A strong in and under player, Woodward is known for his clean skills and ground level and ability to win contested footy.

He was named in the best for Box Hill two weeks ago when they defeated Footscray by seven points, while one of his best games came in the Foxtel Cup loss to West Perth, where he picked up a game-high 29 disposals.  

Jarryd Roughead, meanwhile will play his 200th AFL matches and Ben McEvoy his 100th. 

Round 18
Hawthorn v Sydney
Saturday 26 July
MCG, 7.40pm

B: Litherland Gibson Schoenmakers
HB: Hodge Stratton Birchall
C: Smith Mitchell Suckling
HF: Hill Gunston Breust
F: Puopolo Roughead Lewis
Foll: McEvoy Burgoyne Shiels
Int: Simpkin Ceglar Woodward Langford
Emerg: Duryea Ross Hale

In: J.Gibson , A.Woodward , B.Hill
Out: M.Spangher (Ankle Soreness) , B.Ross (Omitted) , T.Duryea (Omitted)

New: A.Woodward
Milestone: J.Roughead - 200 games, B.McEvoy - 100 games