HAWTHORN will treat its final NAB Challenge clash as a dress rehearsal for its round one showdown with Geelong and field its best possible side against St Kilda on Thursday night.

The Hawks offered a number of inexperienced players opportunities against Collingwood on February 26, but football operations manager Chris Fagan said the club had to get game time into its senior players before its season opener.

Forward Brendan Whitecross could play his first senior game of the year after a successful VFL return from a knee reconstruction last Saturday, while fellow forward Cyril Rioli will play more minutes against the Saints.

"We'll be picking our best available team – it's our last chance for a hit-out against opposition before we play in round one," Fagan told the club website.

"Its really important we get some good quality game time into our more senior group.

"This week we play the full-time games with the 120-rotation cap, so it's more like the normal season."

The Hawks will take on Geelong on Monday, April 6 at the MCG.