HAWTHORN ruckman Ben McEvoy has been cleared to play in the VFL on Sunday after an independent appeals board dismissed a Williamstown appeal.

McEvoy didn’t qualify to play in the VFL finals with Box Hill after playing only four home-and-away matches but was granted permission by AFL Victoria to play on Sunday.

Taking the field at the weekend is crucial for McEvoy and the Hawks, as the ruckman aims to maintain match conditioning in a bid to earn a recall for Hawthorn’s Preliminary Final next Saturday.

Box Hill’s Preliminary Final opponent Williamstown appealed AFL Victoria’s decision to allow McEvoy or one another ineligible Hawthorn player to take the field but it was thrown out on Wednesday night.

McEvoy has starred playing for Box Hill and was best on ground in their upset Qualifying Final win over minor premiers Port Melbourne.

He kicked four goals, had 13 disposals, took eight marks and had 45 hit outs in the win.

The former St Kilda ruckman hasn’t played in the AFL team since being omitted after a quiet game in the loss to Fremantle in Round 21.

Ryan Schoenmakers will play in the curtain raiser VFL Young Guns game prior to Box Hill’s Preliminary Final and North Port Oval and could be joined by superboot Matt Suckling if he passes a fitness test on his knee.