STAR midfielder Sam Mitchell will return for Hawthorn in Friday night’s Grand Final re-match after overcoming a calf complaint.

Mitchell is one of two inclusions for the blockbuster, with Matt Spangher named to play his first game of the season, while Luke Hodge (injury) and Tim O’Brien (omitted) have been left out of the side.

A late withdrawal for last Friday night’s thrilling victory over Essendon, Mitchell trained strongly on Tuesday and Thursday this week and is ready to return against the Dockers.

After battling an injury late in the pre-season, Spangher has played with Box Hill to prepare himself for senior footy and will likely spend time at both ends of the ground given Ben Stratton and Brian Lake are both missing from defence.

Hodge was subbed out during the third quarter of the win over Essendon, and the Hawks opted to take a cautious approach with his injury early in the season.

Angus Litherland will play his second game of AFL footy after making his debut against the Bombers last week.

Derick Wanganeen, Jonathon Ceglar and Mitch Hallahan have been named as emergencies. 

Round 3
Hawthorn v Fremantle
Friday 4 April
MCG, 7.50pm

B: Duryea Gibson Suckling
HB: Mitchell Cheney Birchall
C: Shiels Burgoyne Hill
HF: Breust Roughead Smith
FF: Gunston Hale Puopolo
FOLL: McEvoy Lewis Rioli
I/C: Langford Spangher Litherland Simpkin
 

Emerg: Wanganeen Ceglar Hallahan
 

IN: Mitchell, Spangher
OUT: Hodge (Groin), O'Brien (Omitted)