Cats cut rookies Shaun Mannagh, Mitch Knevitt as Hawks swing three changes for Easter Monday
Geelong has cut two rookies - including last week’s sub who came on at the 28th minute mark of the final term - from its side for Easter Monday, while the Hawks have made three changes.
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Hawthorn and Geelong are set to renew their rivalry on Easter Monday, with both sides making mass changes ahead of the blockbuster clash.
The Cats are set to be without skipper Patrick Dangerfield, who will miss multiple weeks with a hamstring strain, while also managing ruck Rhys Stanley and veteran Zach Tuohy.
Mitch Knevitt, who was the sub last week and was activated at the 28th minute mark in the last quarter, has been omitted alongside mature-age recruit Shaun Mannagh.
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Young ruck Toby Conway will play his first game of 2024, and his second career game, in place of Stanley, while Mitch Duncan, Tom Atkins, Tanner Bruhn and Jack Bowes all return to the fold.
Hawthorn has also made three changes after a 0-2 start to the season, dropping Finn Maginness, Ned Reeves and Jack Gunston.
All three played in Box Hill’s win over the Cats in the VFL, forecasting the changes early.
Lloyd Meek, Harry Morrison and Henry Hustwaite will come into the senior side for the clash against the Cats.
In the 2023 iteration of the contest, Hawthorn led by nine points at half time and Geelong was in serious danger of a 0-4 start to its premiership defence, but the Cats kicked 15 goals to one in the second half to win by 82 points.
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