Daniel Howe’s addition to the Hawthorn emergencies adds selection intrigue to their AFL qualifying final against Richmond.
While the Hawks recalled Jonathon Ceglar to partner Ben McEvoy against sole Tigers ruckman Toby Nankervis, the forecast is for a wet MCG on Thursday night.
Howe, who is back from a five-week suspension, could be a late recall and take Ceglar’s place.
If Howe plays, his obvious role would be to tag Richmond star Dustin Martin.
Coach Alastair Clarkson said on Wednesday that they might not recall Howe, given he played five days ago in the VFL.
Ceglar was among four players named to return from injury in the first qualifying final.
He is back from a corked calf, while James Sicily (broken wrist) and James Frawley (jarred back) will bolster the Hawthorn defence.
The Hawks dropped less experienced players Teia Miles, Kaiden Brand and Dave Mirra.
Kane Lambert, one of Richmond’s best players this season, is back from two games out because of ankle surgery.
Demonstrating the strength of Richmond’s lineup, Brandon Ellis is the unlucky teammate who makes way for Lambert.
Ellis was a member of last year’s premiership side and has played 18 games this season.
Remarkably, this is the first time that Richmond and Hawthorn will play in a final.
The Tigers are the hot favourites, but Clarkson has had a fortnight to plot and the four-time premiership coach will have something prepared to combat them.
It marks Hawthorn’s return to September after bowing out two years ago with the semi-final loss to eventual premiers the Western Bulldogs.
They made the top four after a season-ending run of six consecutive wins.
“We’re going to give ourselves every chance. We’ve been in OK form ourselves over the last little while, but nor have we really tested ourselves against the top echelon of the competition,” Clarkson said.