LATE MAIL: Hawks make late change for Dees clash

Hawthorn has made a late change ahead of its clash with Melbourne at the MCG this afternoon.

Midfielder Jaeger O'Meara has been withdrawn from the side due to knee soreness once again.

He has been replaced by Will Langford.

“Jaeger was feeling great going into last week’s clash but unfortunately, despite us giving him every opportunity to get up for today’s match, he still has some soreness around his knee,” General Manager of Football Operations Jason Burt said.

“Fortunately, the irritation is still in relation to the knock he received in Round 2 and separate from the problems Jaeger has faced in the past.

“We have said all along, given his history, we will take a cautious approach.

“We are hopeful the soreness will settle relatively quickly and then it will be about ensuring that Jaeger has a solid block of conditioning before he comes back into the side.

“Both Jaeger and the club want to ensure that he is feeling 100% for a period of time before he returns to senior football.

“We have absolute confidence that Jaeger will play consistent, sustained football for the Hawks.

“We want to ensure that he steps onto the field with that same confidence, and that means giving him the time to get a solid block of training and conditioning under his belt before he returns again.”