TEAM: VFL Round 17
A spate of Hawthorn listed stars headline an extensive list of potential inclusions for this week, with the men named on the wing and half forward flank likely to pique the interest of most Hawkers.
Jaeger O’Meara and Paul Puopolo could join Conor Nash and Kieran Lovell on the comeback trail, with the latter pair each playing their third games back from injury in the hope of a recall to the AFL.
With so many returning stars to choose from Chris Newman and his coaching panel face a selection headache of the best kind, and will have to make several tough calls to whittle the squad down to twenty-three.
In positive news, skipper David Mirra is named at centre half back in what will be a special day for him personally. Mirra will captain his 74th game in the brown and gold, passing the long standing club record held by Alex Gardiner.
Meanwhile, impressive youngsters Dale Hehir (debuted last weekend) and Brayden Kilpatrick retain their places in the match day squad, whilst Lachlan Walker has been rewarded for a good run of form and has been named as 23rd man.
INS: C Glass, J O’Meara, B Whitecross, P Puopolo, T Miles, T Duryea, W Langford, M O’Donnell, J Walker
OUTS: S Gibson
Note: final team to be announced prior to first bounce.
Essendon vs Box Hill Hawks – VFL Round 17
Saturday, 2:10PM, Windy Hill
| B | 62. C Nash | 34. K Heatherley | 5. M Warren |
| HB | 70. D Willsmore | 1. D Mirra | 64. C Glass |
| C | 80. J O’Meara | 36. K Lovell | 61. B Whitecross |
| HF | 41. O Hanrahan | 77. T Vickery | 78. P Puopolo |
| F | 42. T Miles | 68. T Duryea | 40. K Stewart |
| R | 72. M Pittonet | 69. W Langford | 2. A Moore |
| Int | 45. N Lane | 3. W Murphy | 23. J Walker |
| 7. A Brolic | 24. S Switkowski | 33. D Hehir | |
| 11. B Kilpatrick | 13. N Evans | 12. C Jones | |
| 35. H Morrison | 21. J Fisher | 4. M O’Donnell | |
| 23rd | 49. L Walker |
