Midfielder Liam Shiels headlines the inclusions into Hawthorn’s squad for their clash with the Western Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon.

The Hawks are still without star players Luke Hodge and Jared Roughead who’re both recovering from injury but have named 15 players from last year’s Grand Final winning team.

Jordan Lewis will captain the Hawks in Luke Hodge’s absence.

Stats Box

-       Ranked 1^st in least opponent kicks per game.

-       Ranked 2^nd in least opponent handballs per game.

-       Ranked 1^st in least opponent marks per game.

-       Ranked 2^nd in tackles per game.

Talking Heads

"The Doggies, out of everyone, are probably playing the best footy.

"Their run and dash, they win the contested ball, they take intercept marks and they go off that.

"I don't think they've lost too many contested ball quarters this year.

"I think they've only had 74 points kicked against them this year, so they must be defending fairly well."

- Issac Smith

“We’ve probably been the hunted for so long and I imagine the Western Bulldogs will be looking at us in that way. 

“They’re playing some unbelievable football at the moment and we’re ready for the challenge.

“No challenge is too big for any side.  If they don’t turn up mentally, then we give ourselves a chance, and if we don’t turn up mentally, they give themselves a chance. 

“It’s going to be a really good game to watch, both sides play pretty similar. They’re probably a little bit faster than we are in their movement of the ball but both sides pretty much defend the same way.” 

- Jordan Lewis

Last time we met

Round 3, 19 April 2015, Hawthorn defeated Western Bulldogs 127-57 at Aurora Stadium.