Meanwhile, former Hawk Tom Murphy, who was left gutted last September after being dropped for a second Grand Final, could face his old team after being named by the Suns in a 33-man squad.
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Hawthorn has left out Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge, Brad Sewell, Jordan Lewis, Shaun Burgoyne, Xavier Ellis and Liam Shiels for the two shortened matches, while former Bulldog Brian Lake will play his first game in brown and gold.
Rookies Amos Frank, Will Langford, Derick Wanganeen and Jonathon Ceglar have all been given opportunities as a result.
As well as Murphy, Gold Coast has named former Fremantle half-back Greg Broughton and draftee Jesse Lonergan, with Jaeger O'Meara also set to be unveiled after a much-hyped pre-season.
O'Meara, who turns 19 on Saturday, played five NAB Cup games last year but was ineligible to play at AFL level during the premiership season.
Notable omissions for the Suns are Nathan Bock, Brandon Matera, Trent McKenzie, Dion Prestia and Danny Stanley.
The Brisbane Lions have also named a 33-man squad, including former Melbourne pair Brent Moloney and Stefan Martin along with draftee Marco Paparone.
The Lions will be without co-captains Jonathan Brown and Jed Adcock, as well as Simon Black, Pearce Hanley, Matthew Leuenberger and Jared Polec.
Carlton, Greater Western Sydney and the Sydney Swans will launch their pre-season campaigns at Blacktown International Sportspark on Sunday, with last year's premiers missing Adam Goodes, Martin Mattner, Mitch Morton and Rhyce Shaw.
The club will unveil draftees Dean Towers, Harry Marsh and Matthew Dick.
Greater Western Sydney's prized No.1 draft pick Lachie Whitfield will play his first match for the Giants after being named in a 34-man squad, with draftee Lachie Plowman also selected.
Former Hawthorn defender Stephen Gilham has been named, but young guns Stephen Coniglio, Will Hoskin-Elliot and Dom Tyson have been left out.
At Carlton, former captain Chris Judd will miss along with Matthew Kreuzer and Heath Scotland.