HAWTHORN swingman Ryan Schoenmakers will return in Friday night’s clash against Collingwood at the MCG.

Schoenmakers, who was omitted last week, has won back his place in the side as the Hawks make three changes to the team that secured a come-from-behind win over Geelong last Saturday night.

The defender/forward is joined by young defenders Taylor Duryea and Angus Litherland in the side to take on Collingwood.

The Hawks have, however, lost skipper Luke Hodge to knee soreness, while Matt Suckling will also miss with a knee injury and Ben Stratton won’t play due to a corked calf.

Played mostly as a forward in his recent outings for the Hawks, Schoenmakers has been given the chance to show he’s worthy of a finals berth and against a depleted Collingwood defence, this could be an ideal opportunity.

He showed good form in the VFL last week, booting a goal from 11 disposals and seven marks for Box Hill in their VFL win over Northern Blues.

Duryea, who has played 19 senior matches this season after playing 18 last year in his debut year will also be keen to re-claim his spot as a small defender after being omitted following the loss to Fremantle.

Impressive youngster Litherland, who has had an outstanding debut season has played a pivotal role for the Hawks across half back, with his long-kicking and one-on-one ability his biggest strengths.

He will be keen to show he’s ready to stand up in big games and win himself a spot in Hawthorn’s team for the first final.

Coach Alastair Clarkson has opted not to tinker with the winning ruck combination from last week, with both Jonathon Ceglar and David Hale keeping their spots.

The duo combined for four goals against the Cats, with Hale’s influence up forward with three of those goal particularly critical in Hawthorn’s victory.

But Ceglar was arguably the dominant ruckman on the ground with a game-high 23 hit outs and a goal.

Ben McEvoy has been named as an emergency alongside Billy Hartung and Kyle Cheney.  

Round 23
Collingwood v Hawthorn
Friday 29 August
MCG, 7.50pm

FB: Gibson Lake Duryea
HB: Mitchell Litherland Birchall
C: Hill Langford Shiels
HF: Breust Ceglar Smith
FF: Puopolo Roughead Gunston
Foll: Hale Lewis Burgoyne
Int: Schoenmakers Simpkin Spangher Sewell
Emerg: Hartung McEvoy Cheney

IN: R.Schoenmakers, T.Duryea, A.Litherland
OUT: L.Hodge (knee soreness), M.Suckling (knee), B.Stratton (calf cork)