Hawthorn midfielder Will Day will make his return to football this weekend, while veteran forward Jack Gunston is "50-50" to face Adelaide on Thursday.
Gunston didn't train on Tuesday as he works his way back from a mild foot sprain, which put a hold on an incredible season to date.
His absence from the session, and the short turnaround before the trip to Tasmania on Thursday, may be to big a mountain to climb to be selected.
All of that will be considered as Mabior Chol is expected to return from a hamstring injury, bolstering the front half.
Midfielder Conor Nash is also likely to exit concussion protocols in time for the clash.
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell confirmed that Day will feature in the VFL on Friday.
The star on-baller has been plagued with foot and shoulder issues since the beginning of 2024, limiting him to 22 outings during that time, but no finals.
"He'll play this week, he'll play some limited minutes on Friday night with Box Hill," Mitchell saiid.
"It's pretty exciting, pretty exciting for Will and I think for all of us. He's obviously a very high-profile player to be getting back and playing some VFL time.
"He'll be carefully managed, of course. I think he starts on the bench every quarter and will do all those type of things.
"He'll be very excited, so I'm looking forward to getting him back, but he certainly won't be ready for AFL footy at this stage."
Day will play for Box Hill in Williamstown against the Seagulls, but will be given as much time as he needs before returning to the senior side.
"To be determined, we'll see how he goes this week, see how his movement is, how his confidence is," Mitchell said.
"When he gets back, stay back. That's the aim, it could be as early as next week or it could be longer than that.
"He's obviously coming back from a shoulder which means he's fitter, you can get a lot more physical work in, your physical profile, they can work pretty hard.
"So he's going to be ready for AFL footy at a high level straight away. Sometimes when you get back from a foot or a lower leg injury, it's hard to get the fitness based needed."
