Hawks confident Hodge will play
Xavier Ellis says he has faith skipper Luke Hodge will play in the Grand Final despite missing the preliminary final through illness
The Hawthorn skipper came down with the bug late on Friday, and reportedly needed treatment on a drip.
Adding to the drama Hodge's wife Lauren is expected to give birth in the coming days, but he's already told his teammates he won't miss the match.
"I think his response is 'she's got a great family,' I think he'll be there," midfielder Xavier Ellis told reporters on Sunday.
Ellis said he wasn't certain when the baby was due.
"I don't know, she's pretty big," he joked.
Coach Alastair Clarkson didn't tell the Hawks players they'd be without their captain until the final warm-up.
"We turned up to the game yesterday not knowing he wasn't playing," Ellis said.
"We haven't seen him since Friday, last skills session, which he completed no dramas."
Injured defender Brent Guerra has until Tuesday to prove his fitness after suffering a hamstring injury in the final round of the home and away season.
Guerra ran laps at Hawthorn's recovery on Sunday.
Another hamstring victim, Ben McGlynn, also faces a test to prove his fitness early in the week.
Both Guerra and McGlynn are seen as only outside chances. McGlynn is believed to be a slightly better chance.
Swans defender Ted Richards should be ok, despite hurting his ankle against the Pies, while ruckman Shane Mumford faces a nervous wait after umpires are believed to have lodged a report he interfered with the injured knee of Magpie Chris Dawes on Friday night.
Matt Thompson is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @MattThompsonAFL