HAWTHORN will welcome back premiership defender Ben Stratton from injury for Saturday’s top-eight clash with Gold Coast at Aurora Stadium.
The Hawks have made just one change to the side that defeated Collingwood by 29 points last Saturday, with Ben Ross (omitted) the man to make way for Stratton.
The defender made a successful return via the VFL last Saturday from an adductor injury that kept him on the sidelines for three weeks.
Stratton was at his defensive best for the club’s affiliate Box Hill in their 85-point win over Casey, defending well and picking up 13 disposals across half-back.
Stratton hasn’t played at the top level since the Round 10 loss to Port Adelaide, after being withdrawn from the selected side to take on GWS in Round 11 with the injury.
His inclusion further bolsters Hawthorn’s defence after it was hit severely by injury a month ago.
The Hawks have had to battle through a period with Stratton, Brian Lake and Josh Gibson all missing from defence but following the former’s inclusion, Gibson is now the only defender still unavailable due to injury.
Ross, who made his debut in the win over Carlton in Round 12 was the sub in his first two games for the Hawks.
Ruckman Jonathon Ceglar has retained his spot despite a five-goal haul from Ben McEvoy for Box Hill after an impressive performance against Collingwood.
Brian Lake meanwhile, will play his second game back from injury after getting through unscathed against the Pies last weekend.
McEvoy has been named as an emergency for Saturday along with Ross and Jonathan Simpkin.
Round 15
Hawthorn v Gold Coast SUNS
Saturday 28 June
Aurora Stadium, 1.45pm
B:Schoenmakers Lake Hodge
HB: Suckling Spangher Birchall
C: Smith Lewis Hill
HF: Puopolo Gunston Rioli
F: Breust Roughead Hale
Foll: Ceglar Burgoyne Shiels
Int: Litherland Duryea Stratton Sewell
Emergencies: Ross McEvoy Simpkin
IN: Stratton
OUT: Ross (omitted)
