Hawthorn has confirmed 2018 Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell will make his return from a broken leg on Thursday night.
Mitchell is a confirmed starter against St Kilda in the Marsh Community Series opener at RSEA Park in Moorabbin.
The 26-year-old hasn’t played since breaking his leg during pre-season last year, an injury which ruled him out of the entire 2019 season.
Confirming the news on Wednesday morning, Hawthorn assistant coach Adam Yze said the gun midfielder was in “a good place” after the gruesome injury.
“Tom has progressed really well over the past few weeks,” he told reporters.
“We know how special a player Tom is. He is a professional on and off the track.
“We missed Tom in 2019. But I think he has grown as a player in that time. He is now in the leadership group which I think is a credit to him.
“He’s in a really good place.”
Yze said new recruits Sam Frost and Jonathon Patton would run out in Hawthorn colours for the first time.
He also suggested regular ruckman Ben McEvoy would start at centre half-back with Jon Ceglar to spend more time in the ruck.
“'Big Boy' will start at centre half-back,” Yze added.
“We’ve loved what we’ve seen from him down there this pre-season which will also give Ceglar the chance to thrive as the first ruck.”
Midfielder Jaeger O'Meara's minutes will be monitored after he was rested for last week's intra-club game.