Kaiden Brand and Brendan Whitecross are set to play their first AFL game for 2017, having been selected in the Hawks 22-man team to face the Suns.
The pair replace injured Hawk Grant Birchall (jaw), and young forward Kade Stewart (omitted).
According to GM- Football Operations Jason Burt, Stewart was unlucky not to get selected after a solid effort in Round 2.
“Stewart really didn’t do a lot wrong last week, so he is really unlucky not to get selected,” says Burt.
“It’s more about finding team balance. Stewy will continue to work on his game at VFL level, and he’ll come back a stronger and more versatile player.”
Following an injury interrupted pre-season, Brand has performed exceptionally well for Box Hill across the past two weeks, and has been rewarded for his effort.
“He’s a good-sized young defender who has shown great discipline in the backline,” says Burt.
“We know he can play his role and perform against a good quality opposition, so we’re really excited for him.”
ROUND 3 TEAM
Gold Coast vs Hawthorn
Metricon Stadium
Sunday 9 April, 4.40pm
B: Ben Stratton, James Frawley, Shaun Burgoyne
HB: Luke Hodge, Ryan Burton, Josh Gibson
C: Liam Shiels, Jaeger O’Meara, Isaac Smith
HF: Luke Breust, Jack Gunston, Cyril Rioli
F: Ty Vickery, Jarryd Roughead, Paul Puopolo
R: Ben McEvoy, Will Langford, Tom Mitchell
INT: Ricky Henderson, Teia Miles, Brendan Whitecross, Kaiden Brand
