The midfielder comes into the team along with Jarryd Morton, Beau Muston and hard-at-it midfielder Brad Sewell.

Jarryd Roughead (lateral meniscus) is the big omission for the Hawks, with the star forward having season-ending knee surgery earlier this week.

Youngsters Beau Dowler, Thomas Murphy and Brendan Whitecross have all been omitted as coach Alastair Clarkson searches for a winning combination following last week’s loss to St Kilda.

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said Sewell was raring to go after overcoming a corked quad while Savage – who eased into the year after a shoulder problem – had earned his promotion through hard work.

"Shane is a Kiwi-born fella who played local footy and doesn’t live far away from Waverley Park," Evans said.

"When he came into the club he had a shoulder injury so his pre-season was set back … but right from day one he impressed the fitness staff and the coaches by how diligent he was about his rehab.

"He played a couple of games in the Box Hill reserves when he came back mid-season and has played the last handful of games in their seniors, and has really staked a claim."

 

Evans said the Hawks' high number of first-gamers this year was surprising but it would have long-term benefits.

"I think it's quite unusual for a side that's won the premiership the year before," Evans said.

"It's indicative of a couple of things – one, the injuries we’ve had but two, the quality of the kids that we've got on the list.

"So it's good to give them a start and that should help us in the future years."

Evans said defender Brent Guerra might return this year but he would require surgery for his shoulder injury in the off-season.

Xavier Ellis' (ankle) immediate future is also up in the air, with his chances of playing again this season to be determined by just how far his team goes.

Defender Trent Croad (foot) has also had surgery, with the club yet to receive a report on his condition.

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

In: Morton, Muston, Sewell, Savage
Out: Jarryd Roughead (knee), Beau Dowler, Thomas Murphy, Brendan Whitecross

New: Shane Savage (Noble Park / Dandenong U18)