In other key selections for the remainder of round five, Nick Vlastuin will make his debut for Richmond, James Kelly is back for Geelong, Beau Waters returns for West Coast and Eddie Betts is back in the Carlton side.
An All Australian in 2009 and 2010, Lake has spent his recent weekends running around in the VFL, but Ryan Schoenmakers' season-ending knee injury opened the door for the former Western Bulldog.
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The Hawks have named Lake at full-back, and he's likely to get the big job on Drew Petrie.
Veteran defender Brent Guerra is among four other inclusions in Hawthorn's 25-man squad. All of them have been named on the club's extended bench.
The Kangaroos, who have brought Will Sierakowski, Aaron Black and Brad McKenzie into their squad, are likely to take an unchanged line-up into the match.
Luke McPharlin returns to Fremantle's team for Friday night's clash with Richmond at Patersons Stadium.
McPharlin was a late withdrawal from the side that lost to Hawthorn in Tasmania last weekend after failing a concussion test.
Freo has also called up Garrick Ibbotson, while mature-age big man Jack Hannath will make his debut.
Nick Suban and Cameron Sutcliffe have been dumped after disappointing performances against the Hawks. A hamstring problem has forced youngster Tanner Smith onto the sidelines.
The Tigers will take a weakened team to Perth, with Troy Chaplin (calf), Reece Conca (foot), Steven Morris (suspension) and Shane Tuck (rested) all out of their side.
Vlastuin headlines Richmond's inclusions, with Matthew White, Jake Batchelor and Brad Helbig also getting a chance to impress.
Greater Western Sydney has made five changes for its match against Gold Coast in Canberra on Saturday.
Former Hawk Stephen Gilham is among the five players dropped, while ex-Carlton player Bret Thornton is among the Giants' five ins.
The Suns have included Danny Stanley, Trent McKenzie and Tom Lynch.
Matthew Warnock (arm), Luke Russell (omitted) and Joel Wilkinson (ankle) are out of the Gold Coast team.
Carlton has made just one change for its clash with Adelaide on Saturday evening, with Betts replacing Aaron Joseph (omitted).
The Crows have made two changes, with Bernie Vince and Brodie Smith replacing Jason Porplyzia (omitted) and Brad Crouch (hamstring).
The Western Bulldogs have elevated Mark Austin off their rookie list and included him in their team for Saturday night's tough clash with Geelong at Etihad Stadium.
Austin has replaced Shaun Higgins, who is out for the rest of the season with a foot injury, on the Dogs' senior list.
Patrick Veszpremi has earned a recall after a dominant performance in the VFL last weekend, while Clay Smith is also back.
The Dogs have lost experienced duo Daniel Giansiracusa (shoulder) and Ryan Griffen (shoulder) to injuries and have dropped Ayce Cordy.
Geelong has made just one change, with Kelly replacing fellow three-time premiership player Paul Chapman (hamstring).
Unbeaten Port Adelaide has made only one change for Saturday night's home game against West Coast.
Paul Stewart returns in place of Lewis Stevenson, who has been dropped.
The Eagles defence will be bolstered by the inclusion of Waters.
Skipper Darren Glass, who suffered a shoulder injury in the loss to Carlton last weekend, has also been named but is considered only a 50-50 proposition.
The under-the-pump Brisbane Lions will make at least five changes for their crucial match against Melbourne at the Gabba on Sunday.
Pearce Hanley (suspension), Daniel Rich (shoulder), Stefan Martin (ankle), Ryan Harwood (omitted) and Niall McKeever (omitted) are all out of the team that suffered a heavy loss to North Melbourne last weekend.
The Demons are resting first-year midfielder Jack Viney and have lost Mitch Clark to a foot injury and Neville Jetta to suspension.
David Rodan heads a list of six player included in the Dees' extended squad.
Rodan has been named in a forward pocket.
