HAWTHORN has withdrawn premiership players Stephen Gilham and Stuart Dew ahead of its clash with West Coast at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night.

Full-back Gilham (illness) was poised to return from a persistent knee injury for just his second game of the season after playing with VFL affiliate Box Hill two weeks ago.

He was rested last week as part of the split round and football manager Mark Evans told hawthornfc.com.au on Thursday that it was part of getting Gilham and teammate Rick Ladson up for this game.

"We knew that if they were to be a chance to play for Hawthorn this week, given the six-day turnaround from the Box Hill game through to the Hawthorn game – and the travel – then we would want them to stake their claim early in the week at selection," he said.

Dew (quad tightness) played in the round-12 loss to the Brisbane Lions and, before this game, had only missed one other this year.

Draftee Ryan Schoenmakers, initially omitted, and elevated rookie Cameron Stokes, who hasn't played since round nine, take their places.

West Coast will line up as named.