HAWTHORN may have named 13 premiership players in its first NAB Cup squad, but it's the youth of the side that is the main storyline, according to football manager Mark Evans.

"We're very excited about how many young players will be representing the club this weekend," Evans said of the side set to take on Melbourne at Aurora Stadium on Saturday.

"I think it will be fantastic for our people to see Beau Dowler, Mitch Thorp and Ben McGlynn back after bad runs with injury last year.

"We also have Ryan Schoenmakers, Liam Shiels and Luke Breust who were all drafted last year. That's all exciting.

"We remember when (Jarryd) Roughead, (Jordan) Lewis and (Lance) Franklin came into the place and we were excited by their youth, well, we've got some talented young kids still yet to make their mark."

Schoenmakers, the Hawks' first overall pick at last year's NAB AFL Draft, has impressed in his short time at club and Evans said the 18-year-old had the physical attributes to play several roles for the team.

"He's athletic enough to play as a winger or he can play across half-back or half-forward," he said of the 193 cm prospect.

"I think he'll probably get an opportunity to play a variety of positions."

Simon Taylor is the only recognised ruckman named in the side, but Evans was confident the big man had the fitness base to comfortably handle the bulk of the tap work.

Having started its pre-season program later than 14 other clubs, the reigning premier is still nursing several players back to full health, but Evans was happy with the progress of a rehab group containing players of the calibre of Luke Hodge, Lance Franklin and Trent Croad.

"We've taken a conservative approach with the management of some of these players," he said.

"Rather than race them back in for the early part of the NAB Cup we've decided to give them a better program and bring them back in when we think it best suits.

"Luke's on target for the start of the season and I would think [Buddy] will play potentially next week, but certainly in the back half of the pre-season competition.

"Trent is progressing well, he's still got a few boxes to tick, but we're comfortable with how he's progressing at this stage." 

Hard-luck story Beau Muston is nearly 12 months into his recovery from a second knee reconstruction with Evans confident he will resume full football activities soon.

Dream Team watch – Ryan Schoenmakers is rated a $90,600 forward/defender in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.

Simon Taylor is rated a $209,500 ruckman in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.

Beau Muston is rated an $86,600 midfielder in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.