MATURE-AGE defender David Mirra looms as Ben Stratton's likely replacement for Hawthorn's semi-final against Melbourne on Friday night.
Mirra, 27, was rested from Box Hill's (Hawthorn's affiliate) 29-point VFL semi-final win over Geelong at Stannards Stadium on Sunday, alongside dual premiership utility Taylor Duryea.
Mirra last played in the Hawks' senior side in the round 23 win over Sydney at the SCG before he was one of three omitted for the first final on Thursday night.
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Duryea played the first 16 matches of the season in Alastair Clarkson's side before he was dropped to the VFL.
The Hawks require at least one change from the side that lost to Richmond on Thursday night with Stratton ruled out for at least one week with a low-grade hamstring strain.
With Melbourne forwards Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman looming on Friday night, the Hawks will look for additional support to assist key defender James Frawley.
Another potential candidate for Stratton's vacant spot, Kaiden Brand, played in a key defensive role, while AFL late withdrawal Ryan Schoenmakers (Achilles soreness) sat out.
Box Hill coach Chris Newman believes Duryea's flexibility to play forward or back has the 2014 and 2015 premiership player in AFL calculations with along with Mirra.
"By all rights, he (Duryea) is an AFL standard player," Newman said after booking a preliminary final berth against Williamstown.
"He's been in both this year, probably more AFL level he's been playing forward but I don't think they've got any problems with him playing back if that is the call that he's to play next week.
"I think there's still a fair bit to sort through and the availability of many players. He's a pretty flexible player, I think he can impact at both ends of the ground."
Teia Miles, who played eight consecutive games for Hawthorn between rounds 16-23, collected 21 disposals but would appear unlikely to back-up for an AFL final in five days' time.
Jono O'Rourke (11 disposals) spent large periods of the game on the bench, while James Cousins (27 dispsoals) was the Hawks' best AFL-listed player.
With Geelong's senior side crashing out of finals, the Cats' VFL outfit ruled out power forward Esava Ratugolea following two games back.
After suffering a broken ankle in round 10 of the AFL season, Ratugolea appears set for more work ahead of the 2019 pre-season.
"Esava will have to get a bit of work done to his ankle," Geelong VFL coach Shane O'Bree said.
"After a major operation, it's a bit of a clean-up there to help it on its way again."
Charlie Constable failed to overcome a hamstring complaint from last week's qualifying final in order to play.
As the Cats crashed out in straight sets, wingman Jordan Cunico (20 disposals, one goal) was busy, while ruckman Zac Smith (20 disposals) increased his output across the ground.
