Bailey's recall to the senior side after a three-year absence is the feel-good story for Alastair Clarkson's men.

Riley Milne, a promising key defender from the club's rookie list, and Beau Dowler are the other inclusions for the Hawks who have again had to cover casualties.

Premiership big man Robbie Campbell will miss with a finger injury and Jarryd Morton a tight hamstring while Simon Taylor will play in the VFL.

However, the disappointment of Campbell and Morton's injuries have been somewhat offset by Bailey's long-awaited comeback.

The 22-year-old, taken at No.18 in the 2005 NAB AFL Draft, has managed just four senior games in almost four seasons.

His last AFL match was back in round 21, 2006 – his first year at the club.

Two knee reconstructions have sidelined him for much of the past three years but he returned to the lower level mid-year and has gradually built up his fitness and form.

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said Bailey's return on Saturday would be a terrific day for the club.

"We had a similar experience when Beau Muston was able to return to the side earlier this year," Evans said.

"For big Max to be selected to play on the MCG is just a terrific fillip for us.

"It’s also [great] because of the sort of bloke that he is as well. He's such a great character around the club so everybody's really keen to see him back out there in the Hawthorn colours."

On the back of Shane Savage's debut last week, the Hawks will unleash another youngster with Milne to play against the Tigers.

Evans said a seventh debutant for the season was another bonus for the Hawks.

"It's good given the season we've had that we've still been able to fast-track the development of some of our younger players," he said.

"Riley's had a really good run at Box Hill. He's played down back and in the midfield but more recently down back."

While the injured Morton is likely to play again this season Evans said he was unsure if Campbell, who had finger surgery, would return.

"The surgeon has advised that he not play with it … some players have come back after one or two weeks but I would think that, from the advice we got, he might be finished for the year," he said.

Hawthorn team
B: Campbell Brown, Stephen Gilham, Grant Birchall
HB: Beau Muston, Ryan Schoenmakers, Travis Tuck
C: Chance Bateman, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis
HF: Ben McGlynn, Lance Franklin, Michael Osborne
F: Cyril Rioli, Brent Renouf, Beau Dowler
Foll: Max Bailey, Luke Hodge, Brad Sewell
I/C: Josh Kennedy, Riley Milne, Shane Savage, Liam Shiels
Emg: Simon Taylor, Thomas Murphy, Brendan Whitecross

In: Bailey, Dowler, Milne
Out: Robert Campbell (finger), Jarryd Morton (hamstring), Simon Taylor

New: Riley Milne (Mooroopna / Murray U18)
Selected at No.16 in 2008 NAB AFL Rookie Draft
19 years old, 193cm, 82kg