Exciting youngsters Changkuoth Jiath and Conor Glass will play their first AFL games of 2020 when the Hawks meet the Eagles on Sunday. 

Both will receive the call up in tonight’s team announcement, off the back of impressive form in Hawthorn’s recent scratch matches. 

A Category B rookie from the 2017 draft, Jiath made his AFL debut under unique circumstances when the Hawks defeated GWS by 56 points in snowy conditions last year. 

In his two-game taste of senior football, Jiath showed flashes of brilliance while playing off half back, exciting Hawks fans with his dash and all-round athleticism. 

After Ricky Henderson was placed on the long-term injury list three weeks ago, Jiath was elevated to Hawthorn’s senior list, making him eligible for AFL selection. 

Read: Remaining fixture revealed

Conor Glass, also a former Category B rookie, has 17 games of senior experience under his belt since joining the Hawks in mid 2016.

Despite spending the majority of those 17 appearances running off half back, Glass has demonstrated his versatility in his recent scratch matches by playing through the midfield and on the wing. Development Coach Andy Otten heaped praise on the Irishman following a recent performance. 

“We have been able to see his running capacity and speed around the ball, and his stronger body has been very noticeable around stoppages,” Otten said.

“He has been very consistent, working back to help out the defenders or pushing forward to link up with the forwards.” 

With brown and gold fans and members flooding social media and calling on the Hawks to ‘play the kids’, the injection of this young duo is sure to ignite excitement ahead of Sunday’s all-important clash.