The Hawks will take to the field on Thursday night in their first run against an opposition side in 2020. 

Hawthorn fans will have their first opportunity to check out some new faces and others that are returning from a long stint out of the game.

Here are the five players who both Hawks and Saints supporters will be watching closely on Thursday. 

Tom Mitchell

Tom has already begun his walk down the comeback trail with an impressive outing in last week's intraclub game. Mitchell looked comfortable in the hit-out, quickly finding himself inside multiple contests and covering the ground with ease. On Thursday night, the 2018 Brownlow Medallist takes his next step with his first match-up against an opposition side.  

Jonathon Patton

Another stand-out in last week's game, Patton booted three goals in difficult conditions. Although he is by no means inexperienced at AFL level, Patton was on the sidelines for the entirety of the 2019 season and therefore this Marsh Community Series will figure as an important stepping stone ahead of his first season in the brown and gold. 

Ben McEvoy

In the first 206 games of his career, Ben McEvoy has spent the bulk of his time in the centre square as his team's number one ruck option. But all of the signs out of Waverley this summer suggest that Big Boy may be in for a sea change with the 30-year-old spending the pre-season training with the defenders. Named at centre half-back against his former side, Hawks fans will watch on with interest to see how this experiment is progressing. 

Max King

Kicking four goals in your side's intraclub hit-out is a good way of making waves across your supporter base. Especially when you're one year removed from being the number four pick to a club crying out for its next generational spearhead. King will take to the field on Thursday night as he continues his pursuit of a senior debut. 

Bradley Hill

His first outing at his third club, Hill will be determined to make a good impression in his first outing as a Saint. The former Hawk was this week posted in the club's leadership group, with his experience in three premiership sides expected to help the Saints take the next step in 2020. 

Hawthorn will take on St Kilda at RSEA Park in Moorabbin at 7.10pm on Thursday, February 20.