Hawthorn has made one change ahead of its Round 16 clash with GWS. 

Kade Stewart rejoins the side, replacing the injured Grant Birchall (knee).

GM-Football Operations Jason Burt says although the side will miss the on-field leadership supplied by Birchall in the last fortnight, it presents an opportunity for Stewart to show his wares.

“Obviously Birch is a big loss,” said Burt. 

“We’ve really thrived having him back in the side over the past two weeks, but unfortunately that knee has flared up again with some irritation in the joint, so we’re taking a cautious approach. 

“The positive is that Kade gets another opportunity to continue his development at AFL level. 

“He’s been performing week in, week out at Box Hill, and showed some really positive signs in his two senior games this year, so we’re excited to see what he can produce.”

Read: Match preview Round 16

 

ROUND 16 TEAM
Hawthorn v GWS
Saturday 8 July, 1.45pm
UTAS Stadium 

B: Blake Hardwick, Kaiden Brand, Taylor Duryea
HB: Ryan Burton, James Sicily, Luke Hodge
C: Isaac Smith, Tom Mitchell, Billy Hartung
HF: Luke Breust, Jack Gunston, Liam Shiels
F: Tim O’Brien, Jarryd Roughead, Will Langford
Foll: Ben McEvoy, Shaun Burgoyne, Daniel Howe
Int: Ricky Henderson, Ryan Schoenmakers, Kurt Heatherley, Kade Stewart
Emer: Harry Morrison, Tyrone Vickery, Brendan Whitecross

IN: Kade Stewart
OUT: Grant Birchall (knee)