• Grand Final preview: Hawthorn v West Coast
• Last time they met: Hawthorn v West Coast
• What you need to know for the Grand Final

HAWTHORN forward Ryan Schoenmakers says he found out midweek he would be lining up for the Hawks in the Grand Final.

Schoenmakers was a chance to be dropped with Hawthorn’s leading goalkicker this season, Jack Gunston, declared fit after suffering ankle and knee injuries in the qualifying final loss to West Coast. With three goals in two finals, Schoenmakers’ form has been good enough to earn a spot for the decider.

The 24-year-old has previously been one of the hard luck stories for the Hawks.

'I wasn't close to missing out': Gunston

Lining up as a defender in the 2012 Grand Final loss to Sydney, he is the only person from that team still at the club who has yet to experience premiership success.

He tore his ACL in his right knee in 2013 and missed most of the season, before being dropped for the finals the following year.

“It’s been a bit of a journey the last couple of years, for myself especially,” he says.

“Not being part of it the last couple of years has definitely driven me.”

Schoenmakers attracted interest from other clubs during the 2014 trade period but was determined to stay put and fight his way back into the team.

“It wasn’t really much of a decision for me.

“I wanted to stay and be part of some success and I thought Hawthorn was going to be the place to do that. Hopefully that will prove true this week.”

The key position player says being made aware of his place in the team helped him deal with his nerves.

“I suppose (Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson) just wanted me to ease my mind early on and get prepared normally.”