HAWTHORN’s match committee faces a headache at the selection table this afternoon, with a number of experienced players in contention to return for Friday night’s clash with the Bombers.
Luke Hodge (knee), Stephen Gilham (soreness) and Brent Guerra (suspension) are all available to play for the Hawks and are in contention according to Coach Alastair Clarkson.
The Hawthorn Coach admitted that the Hawks could make up to three changes for tomorrow night’s clash at Etihad Stadium, with selection to be finalised this afternoon.
“Brent Guerra comes back from suspension, so he’ll be in the mix,” Clarkson said at the Ricoh Centre on Thursday.
“Stephen Gilham is available after being a late withdrawal last week.
“We could make two or three changes to our side, but we’ll work that out this afternoon.”
Skipper Hodge is again the biggest name who could force his way into a Hawthorn side that defeated Collingwood by 47 points in Round 17.
Hodge made a successful return to football for the Club’s VFL affiliate Box Hill last weekend, gathering 24 disposals and kicking a goal.
Clarkson says that a decision is yet to be made on the Hawks’ utility.
“We’ll give it some consideration,” Clarkson said.
“We’ve got to work out whether we play him as the sub, whether you play him on the ground or if you do even give him another run at VFL.
“We’ll see how he pulls up (after training).”
The Hawks have taken a cautious approach to Hodge’s return, including holding him back from VFL matches to complete rigorous training blocks.
Part of that approach now, Clarkson says includes a decision on whether Hodge could be selected as the Hawks substitute upon his return, but that too is a risk.
“We’ve still got to work out, and it’ll still be as late as this afternoon, on whether that’s best at the VFL or AFL,” Clarkson said.
“If you bring him in as the sub, then you know it’s probably likely that (he’ll play) anywhere between 30 and 50 minutes, if the sub works out ideally.
“If he comes on as the sub, and you have an injury early, he might play 90 per cent game time - that’s not ideal as well.
“We’ve got to make those judgments, and it’ll all depend on the rest of our side, it’s not just about Hodgey, it’s about the balance of our whole side.”
Clarkson is looking forward to having his skipper back in the brown and gold, however, hopefully with three to four matches under his belt before the finals.
“We think it’s going to take a three to four week process to get him back into the type of match condition to be able to run out games well,” he said.
“If then we can get three or four home-and-away games (into him) prior to the finals, for him to be getting into some sort of form and continuity from just playing week to week, then we think that’d be ideal.
“We’re looking forward to having our captain back and involved again."
Kate Salemme is a member of Hawthorn Football Club’s Digital media team reporting exclusively for hawthornfc.com.au from the Ricoh Centre.
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