THE HAWKS have named an unchanged line-up for their round nine clash against reigning premiers and ladder-leaders West Coast at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium on Saturday.

Captain Richard Vandenberg and experienced defender Danny Jacobs were unable to force their way into the senior team after promising efforts for Box Hill Hawks last weekend.

The high-flying Eagles have made only one change, including forward Steven Armstrong for the suspended Daniel Kerr.

Unluckiest may be full-back Zac Dawson, who restricted top Cat Tom Hawkins to a handful of possessions in last Saturday’s VFL match against Geelong at Skilled Stadium.

Dawson has some reward, however, named as an emergency alongside the exciting Xavier Ellis and Jacobs.

“He’s probably playing the best football of his career and he’s unlucky not play in the side,” Hawthorn football operations manager Mark Evans said.

“He kept Hawkins goalless.”

Vandenberg, who will travel with the team to Launceston, is expected to spend another week in the VFL.

He will undergo match-simulated fitness training on the weekend because Box Hill Hawks have a bye due to the Victoria v Western Australia match at Port Melbourne on Saturday.

“He played a full game last week and tightened up in the second half, but stayed on the ground,” Evans said.

“He has to play a full game at Box Hill at full intensity so he can play at full intensity at AFL level.”

The Hawks are five wins from their eight outings, better placed than this time last season when they were 4-4.

The brown and gold played West Coast once last year – in round 14 – and were unlucky to be beaten by 10 points in a memorable match at the MCG.

“We learned a lot from that match. We learned that West Coast have a lot of good aspects to their game,” Evans said.

“They are the benchmarks of the competition and we are looking forward to gauging ourselves against the premiers. We think we can match it. It’s a good time for us.

“I think last season, when we had our full list on the ground, we were competitive. This year, we haven’t had our best 22 on the park, and we’re competitive. We’ve been competitive all season.”

Chance Bateman will lead the team out on to Aurora Stadium as captain, as too will David Wirrpanda for West Coast, to celebrate AFL Indigenous Round.

Bateman will become the first indigenous player to captain the Hawthorn Football Club.

“I think it’s tremendous that the leadership group headed by Richie Vandenberg have offered the captaincy to Chance in dedication of Indigenous Round,” Evans said.

“The leadership group discussed it and asked Chance to do it.”

The Hawks will also celebrate the 150-game milestone and life membership of Trent Croad.

The Hawks v West Coast match begins at 2.10pm in Tasmania.