HAWTHORN ruckman David Hale will be rushed back for his first game this season after Ben McEvoy was forced to withdraw from the side to face Melbourne due to a hamstring injury. 

McEvoy suffered the issue during a light training run at Waverley on Friday morning, with scans later confirming a hamstring strain.

It is unclear how long the 200cm big man will be sidelined, but his injury has opened the door for Hale to make his return.

Saturday's clash with the Dees at the MCG will be the veteran big man's first senior match since last year's Grand Final triumph.

Hale has had a rough trot battling an adductor issue since Christmas and only returned to Box Hill's VFL side last Sunday after three weeks on the sidelines.

He won 30 hit-outs, booted a goal and collected 13 touches in three quarters of game time up forward and in the ruck, but this week told Hawthorn's website he was still searching for touch. 

"Obviously I am still a little bit rusty and need a little bit of game time to get that match fitness and touch that you need to play at a high level," he said.

"I need a couple more weeks at least to get that going and go from there." 

Hale's inclusion for McEvoy is the Hawks' third change to the side which lost to Greater Western Sydney by 10 points last round, with defenders James Frawley and Angus Litherland coming in for Jed Anderson and Brendan Whitecross.

Saturday's match is triple-premiership defender Grant Birchall's 200^th game in brown and gold.