HAWTHORN is set to make multiple changes for its round 24 clash with Gold Coast on Saturday, with Ben Stratton and Brent Renouf among five potential inclusions.

The Hawks are already safe in the top three, and face the likely scenario of a six-day break ahead of a Friday night qualifying final against Geelong.

With that in mind, the club will take the opportunity to give some key players a rest, while offering others a chance to press their September claims.

"We've got the possibility of a six-day break and travel leading into the first final, and we think we've got an opportunity to give some AFL conditioning and match form to some players that might be important come finals," Hawthorn football operations general manager Mark Evans told hawthornfc.com.au on Tuesday.

"So it's quite possible that players like Stratton, (Chance) Bateman, Renouf, (Xavier) Ellis and (Rick) Ladson will all come into consideration for playing."

Evans said star midfielder Sam Mitchell should also make the trip north after sitting out last Saturday's win over the Western Bulldogs with a sore knee.

"It's still to be decided, but we expect him to be OK to play," Evans said.

Ruckman Max Bailey, who has played 13 of 14 games since coming into the senior team in round nine, will be rested, and Cyril Rioli is another candidate for a spell.

The small forward was subbed off at three quarter-time against the Bulldogs after corking his calf.

"I think by the time it gets to the end of the week he could play, but (giving him a week off) is a possibility," Evans said.

Defender Stratton, a 2010 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee, was initially expected to miss the rest of the season when he injured his knee against Richmond in round three.

But after a successful comeback with Box Hill in the VFL on Saturday, he shapes as a September wildcard for Hawthorn.

"He (Stratton) ended up getting more game time (than planned) because Box Hill had a couple of injuries, and he seems to have pulled up pretty well at this stage, so it's a good result for him," Evans said.

Renouf kicked three goals for Box Hill in his second game back from a long lay-off following surgery to remove his gall bladder.

"It was a good game for him and he certainly got his game time up, so now it's a chance to maybe increase the intensity of the level that he plays at," Evans said.

Premiership players Ellis and Ladson also played in the VFL on Saturday, with Ellis particularly impressive, while Bateman could come straight back into the seniors after missing the Bulldogs clash with calf soreness.

"The biggest consideration for us is, 'how do we get a large group of players ready to go for the AFL finals series?'" Evans said.

"This might just be an opportunity to get four or five guys going that probably still need a lot of things to go right for them, but this might just present a great opportunity for them to get going.

"None of the players we're talking about are first-year players, so they're all genuine contenders for a spot in the finals."

The news isn't as promising for Clinton Young, who is likely to spend another week on the sidelines with an ankle injury. Young faces a challenge to gain a place in the Hawks team during the finals given he hasn't played a senior match since round 16.

"I think he'd be doubtful to play this week, but he's certainly improved in his training, and if he continues to train well he'll be a chance to play next (week)," Evans said.

"We're not second guessing what Clinton Young is like as a player, so he just needs to get himself up and get ready to give himself a chance. Hopefully it goes well for him from here."

Rookie Will Langford and uncapped ruckman Sam Grimley were both hurt playing for Box Hill on Saturday.

Langford has had surgery to repair a fractured collarbone, and will be fit for the start of pre-season training.

Grimley has a slight fracture in his hand, and is waiting on advice from a specialist as to how it should be treated.

Mark Macgugan writes for hawthornfc.com.au and covers Hawks news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mmacgugan.