While defender Josh Gibson is likely to say in the VFL for another week as he regains match fitness after overcoming a long-term hamstring injury, Brown is a realistic chance of returning from a knee injury.
He trained on Thursday morning and the Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson will decide later in the day whether to include him against the Bulldogs.
“He’s really close,” Clarkson said.
“If he pulls up just a little bit scratchy and not fully confident in that knee, then we’ll wait for a week but our indication at the moment is that he’s a good chance to play.
“If we name him, he’ll play ... we’ll make the call today and if he’s selected in the side I’d be very surprised if he didn’t play.”
The good news is likely to continue for the Hawks on the injury front, with Gibson, Simon Taylor, Max Bailey and Rhan Hooper expected to return from ailments and further bolster the list in coming weeks.
