Hawthorn has regained three star players for Friday night’s blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG.

The Hawks have been bolstered by the return of Lance Franklin (hamstring), Luke Hodge (thumb) and Grant Birchall (knee) from injury.

Matt Spangher, Sam Grimley and Jonathan Simpkin have made way for the trio, omitted from the team that defeated the Saints last Friday night.

Franklin missed last weekend’s win with hamstring tightness, while Hodge has made a remarkable recovery from thumb surgery, having a small fracture repaired last Monday only to return a week later.

He proved his fitness and training during the week, cleared to play after feeling confident in his ball handling ability after the surgery.

The courageous skipper missed only one game with the injury.

Birchall on the other hand is somewhat a surprise inclusion, having missed eight weeks with a knee injury.

The half back hasn’t played since Round 12 when he injured the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee against the Blues.

Birchall has been brought straight back into the senior side after completing a strong two weeks of full training with his teammates.

Midfielder Liam Shiels will play another week in the VFL after returning from an ankle injury for Box Hill last Saturday.

Max Bailey has been named as an emergency alongside Simpkin and defender, Kyle Cheney.

Round 21 team
FB: Stratton Lake Guerra
HB: Burgoyne Gibson Duryea
C:   Smith  Mitchell   Whitecross
HF: Hodge  Franklin  Gunston
FF:  Breust  Roughead  Rioli
RUCKS:  Hale Sewell Lewis
IC: Birchall, Hill, Savage, Puopolo

EM: Bailey, Simpkin, Cheney

IN: Hodge, Birchall, Franklin
OUT: Spangher, Grimley, Simpkin (all omitted)