Hawk Whitecross back in AFL from knee reco

AFL club Hawthorn have confirmed Brendan Whitecross will return from a second knee reconstruction against the Western Bulldogs in Launceston.

Hawthorn's Brendan Whitecross will return on the weekend after missing the entire 2014 AFL season due to a knee reconstruction.

Whitecross played no part in the Hawks' back-to-back grand final wins, having been sidelined since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the 2013 preliminary final against Geelong.

It was the second time in the 25-year-old's career that he needed a knee reconstruction.

Whitecross, Josh Gibson and Sam Mitchell were included in the Hawks' final 22 for Sunday's clash with the Western Bulldogs in Launceston.

Defender James Frawley (pectoral) was an enforced omission, while Jono O'Rourke and James Sicily were dropped.

The Bulldogs handed a debut to midfielder Lukas Webb, who replaced Easton Wood (hamstring) in the team that recorded an upset win over Richmond in round two.

Geelong settled on four changes for their clash with fellow winless side Gold Coast, promoting Jimmy Bartel, Steven Motlop, Jordan Murdoch and Jackson Thurlow.

The Suns made five changes for Sunday, none of them by choice.

Trent McKenzie, Aaron Hall, Brandon Matera, Daniel Gorringe and Matt Shaw are back, with Jarrod Harbrow (shoulder), Mitch Hallahan (ribs), Gary Ablett (shoulder), Alex Sexton (suspension) and Greg Broughton (achilles) making way.

Hayden Crozier was elevated to Fremantle's team for Sunday's derby for Hayden Ballantyne (suspension).

West Coast called on Josh Hill and Sam Butler to replace Simon Tunbridge (ankle) and Jamie Bennell, who was dumped.


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