BRENDAN Whitecross has been named to make his AFL return against the Western Bulldogs in Launceston on Sunday.
Whitecross hasn't played since suffering his second anterior cruciate ligament tear in the 2013 preliminary final against Geelong.
The Hawks have also been bolstered by the returns of Sam Mitchell and Josh Gibson. Former Giant Jonathan O'Rourke and James Sicily have both been omitted, while James Frawley is sidelined with a pectoral injury.
The Bulldogs have named midfielder Lukas Webb to make his debut in place of the injured Easton Wood (hamstring).
Webb was recruited from Gippsland under 18s with pick No.27 in last year's NAB AFL draft.
Geelong has confirmed four changes for the clash with Gold Coast at Simonds Stadium with Jackson Thurlow coming in for his first game of the season after suffering a lacerated kidney at training in December.
Jimmy Bartel returns after missing last week with concussion, Steven Motlop is back after serving his club-imposed suspension and Jordan Murdoch has also been included.
George Horlin-Smith and Dawson Simpson were omitted from the side that lost to Fremantle last week.
The Suns have made five forced changes with Trent McKenzie, Matt Shaw, Brandon Matera, Daniel Gorringe and Aaron Hall coming into the line-up for Gary Ablett (shoulder), Jarrod Harbrow (shoulder), Greg Broughton (Achilles), Mitch Hallahan (ribs) and Alex Sexton (suspended).
Hayden Crozier got the nod to replace Hayden Ballantyne in Fremantle's line-up for Sunday's Western Derby.
West Coast has made two changes with Josh Hill and Sam Butler replacing the injured Simon Tunbridge (ankle) and omitted Jamie Bennell.
Sunday, April 19
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs, Aurora Stadium, 1.10pm AEST
Hawthorn
In: S.Mitchell, J.Gibson, B.Whitecross
Out: J.Frawley (pectoral), J.O'Rourke, J. Sicily
Western Bulldogs
In: L.Webb
Out: E.Wood (hamstring)
New: Lukas Webb (Gippsland U18)
Geelong v Gold Coast, Simonds Stadium, 3.20pm AEST
Geelong
In: J.Bartel, S.Motlop, J.Thurlow, J.Murdoch
Out: A.Mackie (quad), D.Simpson, G.Horlin-Smith, B.Smedts (suspended)
Gold Coast
In: T.McKenzie, M.Shaw, B.Matera, D.Gorringe, A.Hall?
Out: G.Ablett (shoulder), J.Harbrow (shoulder), G.Broughton (Achilles), M.Hallahan (ribs), A.Sexton (suspended).
West Coast v Fremantle, Domain Stadium, 2.40pm AWST
West Coast
In: S.Butler, J.Hill
Out: S.Tunbridge (ankle), J. Bennell
Fremantle
In: H.Crozier
Out: H.Ballantyne (suspended)
