Hawthorn are in line to rest first-string ruckman Lloyd Meek for Thursday's affair with Gold Coast in Darwin as the Hawks look to manage their squad through a five-day break.
Off the back of their win over Melbourne at the MCG in Round 9, the Hawks have already ventured to the Northern Territory to acclimatise to the conditions of the Top End.
Coach Sam Mitchell has taken an extended squad with him to the territory's capital, bringing a host of fringe players who could come into the starting side to alleviate a number of senior players.
The Hawks will make at least one change for Round 10, with defender Jarman Impey remaining in Victoria for the birth of his first child.
Given the short turnaround, Mitchell is anticipated to make further changes to best prepare for a fellow flag contender in the Suns, who have won their past seven matches at TIO Stadium.
Meek is tipped to be rested for the match, with the Hawks to look toward Ned Reeves for this week's ruck duties against one of Jarrod Witts or Ned Moyle as the Suns weigh up their own selection changes.
Reeves, who was a carryover last week, has played just four games under Mitchell since the end of the 2023 season, with Meek emerging as the favoured ruck option thanks to a breakout campaign last year.
The secondary ruck option has averaged 15.4 disposals and 36.2 hitouts per game in the VFL this year to press his case as a recall option for Mitchell, with Round 10 the prime opportunity as Meek recovers from a bout with Melbourne captain Max Gawn.
The Hawks could be preparing further changes for Thursday's fixture, having taken tall forwards Calsher Dear and Max Ramsden to Darwin this week.
One of the fringe pair could be picked to take on the Suns for their first game of 2025, with Mitchell potentially looking at resting in-form veteran forward Jack Gunston.
The Hawks will hope to have defender Jack Scrimshaw (concussion) and midfielder Cameron Mackenzie (hand) back in the coming weeks for what shapes as a critical mid-season run for the Waverley club.
Following this week's clash with the Suns, Mitchell's side will take on Brisbane, Collingwood, the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide prior to their Round 15 bye.
