Hawthorn will play in a VFLW final for the first time since 2018 when it takes on Essendon at Windy Hill on Saturday morning.

Last time these two teams met, the match ended in a thrilling draw following a spirited Hawthorn fightback at Box Hill.

Even though the Hawks will be in enemy territory this time, experienced heads Abbey Holmes, Sophie Bolding and Nadia von Bertouch, Hawks AFLW recruit Jenna Richardson and NAB League Girls duo Charli Granville and Leesa Guastella’s inclusions will boost the side.

Nic Garner, who has played every game this season, will captain the Hawks in the Qualifying Final.

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It’s also a big occasion for 2021 Hawthorn VFLW captain Jess Trend, who will be playing her 100th VWFL/ VFLW game following a myriad of injury setbacks.

If the Hawks beat the Bombers, they will go on to face the higher-ranked winner from the Elimination Finals next week.

If they were to lose, they would then clash with the lower-ranked winner from the Elimination Finals.

Check out the full team below.

B: 17. K. Cox, 11. J. Richardson

HB: 21. J. Trend, 44. L. Guastella, 27. E. McLinden

C: 4. N. Garner, 32. J. Mifsud, 19. L. Camilleri

HF: 12. S. Wilson, 31. A. Holmes, 13. M. Kendall

F: 20. J. Williams, 41. K. Stratton

R: 29. S. Perrott, 14. G. McRae, 7. I. Khoury

INT: 46. A. Molesworth, 50. C. Granville, 24. S. Bolding, 28. N. von Bertouch, 37. G. Walsh

EMG: 25. J. Wise, 8. C. Schmidli, 26. J. Hutchinson, 44. S. Humm

 

In: Abbey Holmes, Charli Granville, Leesa Guastella, Lauren Camilleri, Nadia von Bertouch, Jenna Richardson, Sophie Bolding

 

Out: Abby Favell, Isabelle Porter, Emma Humphries, Meg Hutchins, Ainslie Kemp, Jade Wise, Cadhla Schmidli