Hawks defender Ben Stratton says the Hawks will have up to 32 players to pick from against the Cats, despite a number of key players missing in action from their NAB Cup clash this weekend.
Skipper Luke Hodge will miss as he continues to manage his knee after off-season surgery while forward Lance Franklin will sit out the clash against Richmond in Launceston with a corked thigh.
"I think Hodgey is right for round one, whether it's AFL or VFL, I think he'll be ready to go so he'll play some footy then," Stratton said.
"Then there's a few other blokes, I think (Luke) Breust and those players who are not going to play this week, so they're another week away.
"The way we're going everyone is sort of going to be ready to go come round one.
"It's going to be a tough time come selection.
"I think there'll be 30 to 32 blokes to choose from come round one which is a good sign."
Brian Lake will be absent for a second consecutive week while Brad Sewell, Cyril Rioli, David Hale, Jack Gunston and Brent Guerra will not travel south. Shaun Burgoyne, Grant Birchall and Xavier Ellis are set to make their first appearances for 2013.
Stratton said the inclusion of Brian Lake from the Western Bulldogs would help his game and free up his fellow defenders.
"It sort of frees up a few players down there to become a bit more attacking and don't have to play on the gorillas," he said.
"It's good for me and blokes like 'Schoey' (Ryan Schoenmakers) and 'Gibbo' (Josh Gibson)."
"He's a great character, Brian. He's good to have around the club and he's got some good things to say, especially with the defenders down there."
He added the comments of coach Alistair Clarkson surrounding the new interchange cap limit of 80 per club was rarely spoken about in-house.
"I think it's probably a media thing, we don't see it too much day to day," he said.
