HAWTHORN big man David Hale is confident the club can cover for injured ruckman Max Bailey.

Bailey had wrist surgery after the Hawks' round three NAB Cup win over Melbourne, ruling him out for at least the first six weeks of the season.

In his absence, rookie Broc McCauley has been promoted to the senior list and looks set to make his Hawthorn debut after playing three games with the Brisbane Lions at the start of his career.

McCauley, with support from Hale, will face Collingwood star Darren Jolly in Friday night's match.

"Broc McCauley will probably get a crack at it to start with, and hopefully he can do that role and play some good footy and give our midfielders first use," Hale said on Monday.

"That's pretty much what a ruckman's for, so if he can do that for our mids, we've got good little fellas at ground level.

"Jolly is a pretty good opponent, so hopefully he can have a bit of influence and try and quell him a little bit."

Hale has been in sparkling form during the pre-season, booting bags of three, six and three goals during the Hawks' three full-length NAB Cup games.

The 27-year-old said he might spend slightly more time in the ruck in Bailey's absence, but would still be used as a forward.

"The role I've been playing, 'Clarko' has been pretty happy with, playing forward and doing the ruck stuff, but if the need comes where I've got to play more in the ruck then I'm definitely able to do it," he said.

Hale will play his 150th AFL game against the Magpies.

He played 129 matches for North Melbourne before crossing to Hawthorn ahead of the 2011 season.

Hale said the milestone wouldn't be at the forefront of his mind.

"It's probably business as usual," he said.

"The games sort of tick over and you don't really keep count of them.

"Obviously the milestones are pretty nice to get to, but a win's what I’m after.

"That would be the best present."