The nature of footy clubs is such that, with bad news to one player, comes an opportunity to another.

In the case of this week at Hawthorn, there will be two such examples of this, after the club confirmed neither Chad Wingard nor exciting debutant Denver Grainger-Barras would be available for selection ahead of the side's clash with Port Adelaide on Saturday night. 

One of those opportunities may well come Ollie Hanrahan's way.

Hanrahan has been superb over the past fortnight, putting together a strong block of form on the back of the VFL competition's four-week pause.

The 22-year-old had 30 disposals and a goal in Box Hill's win over Aspley on the weekend, which followed a 27-possession and one-goal performance the previous week against Essendon. 

Playing between the midfield and forward line in a similar role to that of Wingard's at senior level, Hanrahan would appear the strongest like-for-like swap in light of the two-time All Australian's absence. 

A form reversal: The stats that stand out post-bye

Conor Nash's performance against Aspley was also the source of much praise from the Box Hill coaching staff.

Nash has put together a strong portfolio of work at VFL level so far this year, but his effort against the Hornets on Saturday topped the lot, as he finished with 28 disposals, six marks and a goal. 

With an ability to play in almost any position on the ground, could he be in line for a call-up?

Another who continues to build an eye-catching body of work under Sam Mitchell at Box Hill is Emerson Jeka.

He put together a complete performance on the weekend, recording 20 disposals, 11 marks and four goals, asserting an aerial presence stronger than most others in the league currently.

He might not be so much of a direct swap with the likes of Wingard and DGB, but that kind of form is difficult to ignore all the same.

Tyler Brockman has already shown his wares on the AFL stage.

He is another youngster that the Hawthorn match committee could opt to bring in for some flair around goals. 

The final player worthy of a mention is Damon Greaves. 

Greaves is consistently lauded by Mitchell as a player "right on the cusp" of senior selection, playing to a standard that enables him to be called upon at any time.

Could the defensive hole that Grainger-Barras leaves be enough to merit Greaves' fourth senior appearance of 2021?

The team to take on Port Adelaide this weekend will be announced on Thursday at 6.20pm AEST.