HAWTHORN has named three debutants for its twilight season-opener against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
Northern Territorian pair Cyril Rioli and Cameron Stokes - and Josh Kennedy, the grandson of club Legend John Kennedy Snr, and eldest son of John Jnr – have been named on an extended interchange in the 25-player squad.
The Hawks have also welcomed back Tim Clarke and Mark Williams after lengthy injury lay-offs.
Clarke played in rounds one and two last year before missing the remainder of the season with an Achillies injury. Williams, meanwhile, was limited to the first four games before a knee injury cruelled his goal-kicking powers.
Clarke’s return adds depth to the team’s depleted midfield – this week minus marquee trio Shane Crawford, Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis due to suspension.
The 25-year-old has been selected on the bench.
Williams, who showed some form during the NAB Cup, has been selected in a forward pocket alongside twin-towers Jarryd Roughead and Buddy Franklin.
The highly-skilled Rioli hails from St Mary’s in Darwin and was the club’s first round draft pick – No.12 overall – in the 2007 AFL Draft.
Stokes, a speedy midfielder with clever foot skills, captained the Northern Territory at last year’s NAB AFL Under-18s Championships. The No.44 has been elevated to the senior squad after an impressive pre-season.
Kennedy managed 17 games with Box Hill Hawks last year and finished in the top-10 in the best and fairest.
His grandfather led the club to its first premiership in 1961 and trophies in 1971 and 76, while his dad, a reliable and fearless defender played in four flags and 241 games in the brown and gold.
Hawthorn will announce its final 22-man squad on Friday evening.
The Team
B: Guerra, Gilham, Birchall
HB: Ladson, Croad, Murphy
C: Dew, Mitchell, Young
HF: Rioli, Boyle, Bateman
F: Williams, Roughead, Franklin
FOLL: Taylor, Sewell, Tuck
I/C from: Campbell, Clarke, Ellis, Kennedy, Morton, Osborne, Stokes
