Bateman has overcome the hand injury that forced him to miss the Hawks’ round seven win over Collingwood and will make the trip to Launceston’s Aurora Stadium this weekend.
His inclusion comes at a much-needed time for coach Alastair Clarkson, who will be without star midfielder and vice-captain Luke Hodge.
Hodge tore his hamstring early in the third quarter against the Magpies after he had started the match in superb form.
Bateman’s addition is the only change to the line-up, with the Hawks sitting pretty in second spot on the AFL ladder being undefeated after seven rounds.
This weekend they face a rejuvenated Port Adelaide side that has fought back to win its past three matches after struggling early in the season.
The Power will head into Saturday’s clash with some confidence, too, after the two teams played a thriller at the same venue late in 2007.
In round 20 last year, Port Adelaide’s Brett Ebert marked and goaled in the dying seconds to give the visitors a thrilling win after the Hawks looked like they had the match safe in their keeping.
However one of the Power’s stars on that day, Chad Cornes, will be missing this weekend as he continues to battle a finger injury.
Saturday’s match will be the second time Hawthorn has played at its Tasmanian home this season after Clarkson’s men beat the Adelaide Crows by 44 points in round four.
THE TEAMS
HAWTHORN
B: Brent Guerra, Stephen Gilham, Rick Ladson
HB: Campbell Brown, Trent Croad, Grant Birchall
C: Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Chance Bateman
HF: Mark Williams, Lance Franklin, Clinton Young
F: Michael Osborne, Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli
Foll: Robert Campbell, Brad Sewell, Shane Crawford
I/C: Stuart Dew, Xavier Ellis, Ben McGlynn, Simon Taylor
EMG: Tim Clarke, Josh Kennedy, Cameron Stokes
In: Bateman
Out: Luke Hodge (hamstring)
PORT ADELAIDE
B: Michael Pettigrew, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan
HB: Peter Burgoyne, Toby Thurstans, Dom Cassisi
C: Travis Boak, Adam Thomson, Kane Cornes
HF: David Rodan, Warren Tredrea, Brett Ebert
F: Daniel Motlop, Justin Westhoff, Brendon Lade
Foll: Dean Brogan, Steven Salopek, Shaun Burgoyne
I/C: Troy Chaplin, Danyle Pearce, Tom Logan, Robert Gray
EMG: Paul Stewart, Damon White, Nick Lower
No changes
