McEvoy was replaced by fellow ruckman Jonathon Ceglar, who will now team with David Hale to take on the competition's most formidable big man, Aaron Sandilands.

The Dockers, who have also been hard hit by injury and suspension this week, made a late change too, with forward Hayden Crozier coming in for defender Alex Silvagni.

The Hawks have been without key defenders Brian Lake and Ben Stratton all season and lost skipper Luke Hodge with a groin injury at selection this week.

The Dockers were hit hard by the Match Review Panel earlier this week, with star Nat Fyfe and key defender Zac Dawson rubbed out for two weeks and one week respectively. 

Adding to the Dockers' woes, midfielder Michael Barlow was ruled out up for up to six weeks with a knee injury on the same day Fyfe and Dawson accepted their MRP penalties.