LUKE Hodge remains a chance to play in Friday night’s Grand Final re-match if he can get through training on Thursday.

The Hawthorn skipper trained on Tuesday morning and will train again on Thursday in a bid to prove his fitness despite being subbed out of Friday night’s four-point win over Essendon with a groin complaint.

“He’s progressed well during the week – we’re going to see whether he can train effectively on Thursday,” GM – Football Operations, Chris Fagan told hawthornfc.com.au

“There is still a chance he might play, we’ll just have to wait and see.” 

The Hawks could be bolstered though by the return of three key players – Sam Mitchell, Ben Stratton and Brad Sewell.

Mitchell was late withdrawal from Friday night’s clash against Essendon with calf soreness but appears likely to return against the Dockers on Friday night after training well on Tuesday.

“We’re optimistic Sam will be available for selection this week,” Fagan said.

“He had a good run around at training this morning and pulled up quite well but we’ll have to have a look at it and see how he is tomorrow.”

Stratton and Sewell haven’t played since the final practice match against Melbourne in 8 March, when they injured their hamstrings in the victory.

But a strong training week last week coupled with another solid hit out on Tuesday has the pair ready to return.

Stratton’s inclusion in particular would strengthen the Hawks given the unavailability of Brian Lake with suspension and Ryan Schoenmakers who is on the comeback trail from a knee reconstruction.

“They had a strong training week last week and both training this morning,” Fagan said of the duo.

“We’ll wait and see how they perform on Thursday but the expectation is, at this point in time that they’ll be available for selection this week.”

Midfielder Jed Anderson, meanwhile, is headed for a stint on the sidelines after injuring his shoulder in Box Hill’s Round 1 victory over Williamstown.

Anderson was enjoying a brilliant comeback from pneumonia before sustaining the injury, one of Box Hill’s best in the first three quarters with 17 disposals and two goals.

His day ended prematurely, though and will miss the next 2-3 weeks.