Simon Taylor and Wayde Skipper were both injured over the pre-season, prompting suggestions the Hawks could experiment with Jarryd Roughead or even Luke Hodge in the ruck.
But defender Josh Gibson hinted on Monday that a new Hawk could be unveiled to share the tap work with Brent Renouf.
"I'm not too sure but we've had a few of the big guys go down. It's going to give the young fellas a chance," Gibson said.
"We drafted guys like (Sam) Grimley and Jordy Lisle. One of those guys could step up and play."
Gibson is set to make his season-proper debut with his new club against the Demons, but fellow arrival Shaun Burgoyne will have to wait a bit longer to run out in the brown-and-gold after hamstring soreness.
But Cyril Rioli could be in line for selection despite playing no part in the NAB Cup or NAB Challenge.
"Rioli's back training with the group. That will come down to the coaching and conditioning staff to see if they want top play him this week," Gibson said.
"Shauny is going to be at Box hill for round two so he's not far away. I can't wait to have them both playing."
Jarryd Roughead looks set to play despite slightly injuring his knee against the Brisbane Lions two weeks ago. Roughead will be Hawthorn's main forward target against Melbourne as Lance Franklin serves out his suspension from last year.
"I played on him at training and can say he's leading at full strength because he got me a couple of times. We haven't got anything to worry about there, he'll be out there this week," Gibson said.
The former Kangaroo says Franklin's absence should not drastically change the game plan.
"Obviously he is a big target up there, but Roughy has kicked plenty of goals in the past. We've got a lot of lively forwards - we've got Osborne up there and Rhan Hooper has come across. We've got plenty of scoring options but it is going to change the structure of the side a fair bit."
Gibson admitted to some butterflies ahead of his first official game wearing his new colours, but said the pre-season competition had eased his nerves.
"I am (nervous). The NAB Cup, I was super-nervous in that first game. I really struggled with the nerves. Having played another two games after that, one was against North to get that out of the way and Brisbane the other week settled me a lot more," he said.
