Hawthorn will blood four new faces on Saturday night when it takes on Essendon at Kinetic Stadium in Frankston.

Darwin product Mattea Breed will make her AFLW debut while Emily Bates, Greta Bodey and Kristy Stratton will play their maiden matches in brown and gold. 

After a decorated career with the Darwin Buffettes, Norwood and North Adelaide, Breed becomes the first Indigenous woman to make her league debut for Hawthorn. 

A proud Tiwi woman, the 22-year-old has had a strong pre-season and impressed as a forward in Hawthorn’s practice matches against the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne.

Since arriving at the club during the Priority Signing Period, Bates has been instrumental in driving standards during the pre-season. 

The 27-year-old will now get the opportunity to continue her progress as a Hawk on the field under the Saturday night lights in front of a packed crowd. 

Bates will be joined in the brown and gold by premiership teammate Greta Bodey, who looks set to build on her All Australian form in the 2023 season, also starting her journey on Saturday night. 

Meanwhile, Stratton will play her first AFLW game since 2021 when she runs out at Kinetic Stadium on Saturday night.

The 28-year-old previously played 11 games for Collingwood’s AFLW side before enjoying a decorated career with the Box Hill Hawks. 

Hawthorn General Manager of Football Operations Max Bailey said the quartet of brown and gold debutants would make for an exciting evening.

“First games are always special, especially when four unique players get to pull on the brown and gold together for the first time in a blockbuster game,” Bailey said.

“Mattea, Emily, Greta and Kristy have all been striving for this moment since arriving at the club, working hard at their own games and making us better as a team.

“Each player thoroughly deserves this opportunity and we wish them all the best as they take the field against Essendon on Saturday night.”

Hawthorn’s full Round 1 team will be released later on Thursday night, with tickets still available for the game here.