GEELONG and Collingwood have brought their big guns back for this week’s NAB Cup grand final.
Jimmy Bartel, Joel Selwood, Andrew Mackie, Mark Blake and David Wojcinski have been added to the Cats line-up that defeated Carlton last week while the Magpies have brought back Paul Medhurst, Ben Johnson and skipper Nick Maxwell.
Chris Dawes, John McCarthy and Sharrod Wellingham are the other inclusions to the Collingwood team while Heath Shaw will miss after experiencing back soreness during the Magpies’ semi-final win over Essendon.
Leigh Brown, Jaxson Barham, Ryan Cook, Anthony Corrie and Brent Macaffer have been omitted for the Pies while the notable outs for Geelong are James Kelly and David Johnson.
Hawthorn has recalled 10 premiership players, including Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin, Norm Smith Medallist Luke Hodge and captain Sam Mitchell, for its NAB Challenge clash with the West Coast Eagles at Visy Park on Friday afternoon.
Ruckman Brent Renouf was the only member of September's flag-winning side to represent the Hawks against Adelaide in Berri last week, however, coach Alastair Clarkson will use the final hit-out of the pre-season to get some valuable ground time into his key players.
Jarryd Roughead, Mark Williams, Stuart Dew, Brent Guerra, Brad Sewell, Clinton Young and Cyril Rioli are also among the inclusions.
Post-season thumb and shoulder surgery has stalled Franklin's summer and he suffered a small setback when jarring the thumb at training in late February.
Hodge damaged shoulder cartilage in the early stages of the pre-season and underwent surgery in December.
Hawthorn opens its season proper with a grand final rematch against Geelong on March 27 and will want its strongest possible line-up to match a side that has earned a spot in the NAB Cup grand final.
West Coast has left ruckman Dean Cox, captain Darren Glass and utility David Wirrpanda out of its squad to take on the Hawks.