Forgotten big man Jonathon Ceglar could return for Hawthorn as coach Alastair Clarkson ponders how best to combat West Coast’s rampaging ruck duo.

The combination of a fit and firing Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett has been a key ingredient in the Eagles’ surge to the top of the AFL ladder ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Hawks at Etihad Stadium.

Such has been the seemingly diminished role of ruckmen in the modern game that the likes of Patrick Dangerfield and Nat Fyfe have added tap work to their duties this season, with most teams preferring just one specialist tall.

But clubs have been forced to rethink their plans following West Coast’s 47-point victory over reigning premiers Richmond last week.

The Tigers elected to have Shaun Grigg back up Toby Nankervis and the 190cm Grigg was put to the sword by the towering Eagles ruckmen.

Hawthorn have relied on Ben McEvoy in the ruck this season, with Jarryd Roughead providing occasional support.

That could change on Sunday with Ceglar, who hasn’t played an AFL game since late 2016, named in the Hawks’ extended squad after stringing together three games in the VFL.

“We’ll make a call today,” Clarkson told reporters on Friday.

“We’ve had a lot of discussions about West Coast, the size of their forward line, the size of their defence, the size of their ruck division. But we’ve also got to make a call about whether Cegs is ready.

“He’s getting closer but we just want to make sure it’s the right decision for him and for us.”

Clarkson noted the Hawks had deployed two ruckmen throughout their premiership years and their new system might need tweaking to accommodate extra height.

The Hawks will welcome back midfielder Jaeger O’Meara and veteran key defender James Frawley as they look to extend their decade-long streak of wins against the Eagles in Melbourne.