HAWTHORN has left captain Luke Hodge out of Friday night's huge showdown with the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium, while Lance Franklin is a confirmed starter for the home side.
Hodge has experienced some hamstring tightness, and the club decided to err on the side of caution and leave him out of the team.
A Hawks spokesperson said Hodge would take his place if Friday night's clash was a final, but Hawthorn has a bye next week before facing Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, so it was decided to rest the inspirational skipper.
Hodge has been replaced by Jonathan Simpkin who, along with Taylor Duryea and Mitch Hallahan, is part of the Hawks' bench to start the match.
Billy Hartung is Hawthorn's substitute.
There had been some pre-match speculation Franklin could also be a late withdrawal, but the key forward has been named to face his former club, with the Swans unchanged for the clash between the AFL's last two premiers.
Jake Lloyd will start as the Swans' sub, while they have named a very strong bench, consisting of Adam Goodes, Dan Hannebery and Harry Cunningham.
