IT HAS taken three years, but on Sunday against Melbourne at the MCG Hawthorn's Beau Muston will finally make his senior debut after enduring three knee reconstructions – two in his time with the Hawks and one before joining the club.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says Muston's outstanding character has helped him persist through injury setbacks.

"You can only probably endure, at 21 or 22 years of age, a certain amount of mishap before you consider just tossing it all in. But such is the character of the lad he has persevered and is very diligent with his rehab," Clarkson said.

Over the last four weeks Muston has played in Hawthorn's VFL side Box Hill, where he has been a handy player in the midfield, with the ability to push forward and kick goals.

Clarkson has been impressed with the 22-year-old's work ethic at training and is thrilled Muston has the opportunity to play on the big stage.

"It's really exciting; Beau Muston has been able to put together four games at VFL level and we're really excited with the progress that he's made," Clarkson said.

"He'll slot in quite nicely to our side, he's got good leg speed. We're really excited about what he's going to bring to the club, even if it's just the excitement of just seeing a guy that's had to work so hard to get an opportunity. I'm sure the rest of our players will be really keen to do well for him this week."

Picked by the Hawks in the 2005 NAB AFL Draft alongside Xavier Ellis and Grant Birchall, Muston watched from the sidelines last year as his teammates played in a premiership.

But Muston was not alone in his struggle with knee injuries.

Teammate Max Bailey, who has been touted as Hawthorn's future number-one ruckman, has also faced setbacks with multiple knee reconstructions.

Clarkson said Muston's persistent attitude and ability to come back from injury could only provide hope for injured players such as Bailey. 

"The history of the game is littered with guys who have had adversity throughout the course of their careers but have come back from it. These two lads have hardly even got their careers going and they've had some tough luck.

"I think it's a good message for young players and for players outside the AFL to look at some of these young lads and to persist and persevere and eventually the rewards will come your way if you believe in yourself enough."

In other injury news for the Hawks, Xavier Ellis will play his third game for the VFL this week, with teammate Clinton Young to join him in his first game back from a hamstring injury.

Cameron Stokes, Jarryd Morton and Ben McGlynn have also been named in the Hawks' VFL line up, despite been listed Hawthorn's extended bench for Sunday's game against Melbourne.