HAWTHORN has been strengthened by the return of Josh Gibson and Bradley Hill for its Round 9 clash against Gold Coast at the MCG on Sunday.
Gibson (ankle) and Hill (corkie) missed last weekend’s win over the Giants in Tasmania but have recovered from their respective injuries and trained well during the week to return to strengthen the Hawks.
Ruckman Sam Grimley will make his debut after a long apprenticeship usually consistent with the development of a ruckman in the VFL.
Grimley was drafted by the Hawks with selection 39 in the 2009 National Draft.
He impressed with his athleticism and ability to impact the score board during the NAB Cup, catching the eye of fans when the Hawks travelled to Queensland to take on Gold Coast and Brisbane in Round 1 of the NAB Cup.
He replaces the injured David Hale (ankle) in the selected side for Sunday’s match.
Michael Osborne has been left out of the side as has utility, Matt Spangher.
Spangher was also withdrawn from the squad of 25 named on Thursday night, replaced by Jed Anderson who will be one of three emergencies for the game.
Osborne and defender Kyle Cheney are the other two emergencies for Sunday’s match.
Paul Puopolo and Luke Breust will play their 50th matches.
Round 9 team
FB: Stratton Lake Guerra
HB: Mitchell Gibson Birchall
C: Smith Hodge Shiels
HF: Puopolo Franklin Lewis
FF: Gunston Roughead Breust
Rucks: Bailey Sewell Burgoyne
I/C: Simpkin, Grimley, Hill, Duryea
IN: Gibson. Hill, Grimley
OUT: Hale (ankle), Osborne, Spangher
