HAWTHORN will field an extremely inexperienced ruck pairing against Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday, with Ben McEvoy a late withdrawal due to back soreness.

Second-year big man Marc Pittonet, who has played two games this season, will partner with former Melbourne forward/ruckman Jack Fitzpatrick, who is yet to play a game for the Hawks.

However, in good news Hawthorn does not expect McEvoy to be in doubt for the first final in two weeks time.

"Ben has had a bit of back soreness and a disjointed week with the birth of his first child," Hawks football manager Chris Fagan said.

"We decided not to risk him, but we expect him to be fine to play in our first final in two weeks."

Already missing Jon Ceglar, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament against West Coast last week, Pittonet and Fitzpatrick will front up against one of the competition's in-form ruckman in Brodie Grundy.

Fitzpatrick, who was signed as a delisted free agent at the end of last season, has been selected for his first game of the season.

The 25-year-old kicked 0.5 against Collingwood in the VFL last weekend to go with 19 disposals.

Pittonet made his debut against Geelong in round one and also played against Essendon in round 12.

With McEvoy to return for finals, Sunday's game shapes as an opportunity for either of Fitzpatrick or Pittonet to claim the back-up ruck spot moving into September.