Shaun Burgoyne is likely to make his return this Saturday night, as the Hawks set their sights on a match-up with Gold Coast at the SCG.

According to Head of Football Rob McCartney, there is still some uncertainty around the final team, given today's events.

“The playing group had to cut its training session short and leave abruptly this afternoon,” McCartney said.

“So, while we know the 22 will come from the 26 players listed, there could be some changes based on the club’s ability to do final fitness testing in Sydney on Friday.”

Burgoyne has been sidelined for the past four games with an ankle injury, but will be eager to resume his climb towards 400 career games, with this Round 11 meeting due to mark his 396th senior game.

Fittingly the Indigenous games record holder's return is likely to coincide with Sir Doug Nicholls Round, as the game celebrates the impact of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the contributions to Australian Football by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.

The match was originally fixtured to be played in Darwin, however due to the Northern Territory’s border restrictions as a result of Victoria’s evolving COVID-19 situation, alternate plans have been arranged.

Hawks-Suns clash moved to Sydney

Liam Shiels is likely to bolster the side's midfield after missing last week's clash against Carlton due to neck soreness. 

After being the inactivated medical substitute in the side's Round 8 and 10 games, Josh Morris has also been named in the senior side for the first time this year.

The 19-year-old has been in some strong form at VFL level of late, with a five-goal performance a fortnight ago the highlight. 

Hartigan, Jaeger O'Meara (concussion) and Oliver Hanrahan are the three that have been left out of this week's team.

ROUND 11 TEAM
Gold Coast v Hawthorn
Saturday 29th May, 7.40pm AEST
SCG

B: Blake Hardwick, Sam Frost, Jarman Impey
HB: Damon Greaves, Changkuoth Jiath, Daniel Howe
C: Harry Morrison, James Cousins, Jack Scrimshaw
HF: James Worpel, Luke Breust, Chad Wingard
F: Ned Reeves, Mitch Lewis, Jacob Koschitzke
R: Ben McEvoy, Tom Mitchell, Shaun Burgoyne
INT: Tom Phillips, Josh Morris, Dylan Moore, Liam Shiels

EMER: Tim O’Brien, Conor Nash, Tyler Brockman, Finn Maginness

IN: Burgoyne, Morris, Shiels
OUT: O'Meara, Hartigan, Hanrahan