HAWTHORN has made two changes for Saturday’s match against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, with veteran Brent Guerra back from injury and youngster Jed Anderson included in the side.
Anderson was best on ground for Box Hill in last weekend’s thumping win over Coburg, booting a game-high five goals while gathering 24 disposals and eight clearances.
It was a performance that proved too difficult for Alastair Clarkson and his match committee to overlook, winning a place in the side at the expense of Paul Puopolo who’ll miss with calf soreness.
Anderson burst onto the scene during the pre-season with impressive performances over the NAB Cup, and made his AFL debut in his first season on the list against Geelong in Round 1.
He won a Rising Star nomination after his impressive performance in the Round 3 win over Collingwood, which would turn out to be his last game until now.
He injured his hamstring against the Pies and missed several weeks with the injury, but a string of impressive performances in the VFL has earned him the opportunity to show his wares on the eve of the 2013 finals series.
Guerra was a late withdrawal last week with knee swelling, but has been brought straight back into the side, replacing youngster Taylor Duryea who has been omitted.
It speaks to the strength of the Hawthorn side this year, that Duryea’s omission will shock many given the his seamless and impressive transition into AFL football this year.
Duryea has been a consistent and reliable performer this season for the Hawks, but is the unlucky one to miss out this week.
Round 22 team
FB: Stratton Lake Guerra
HB: Burgoyne Gibson Birchall
C: Smith Hodge Savage
HF: Breust Franklin Lewis
FF: Hale Roughead Rioli
Rucks: Bailey, Sewell, Mitchell
IC: Whitecross, Gunston, Anderson, Hill
EM: Duryea, Shiels, Spangher
IN: Guerra, Anderson
Out: Puopolo (calf soreness), Duryea (omitted)