Following the likely season-ending injury to star midfielder Tom Mitchell, many were unsure just how Hawthorn would perform. Two weeks into the season, the football community is none the wiser.

In Round 1, the Hawks caused an upset, defeating the Crows by 32 points, but eight days later, they fell victim to the Western Bulldogs by 19 points at the MCG after a fourth quarter capitulation.

Veteran Shaun Burgoyne and three-time premiership player Liam Shiels will be missing because of hamstring injuries but it’s not all bad news. High profile recruit Tom Scully is back playing earlier than expected.

Traded for a future fourth round pick, Scully made his brown and gold debut on the weekend, with 15 disposals in tandem with Isaac Smith on the wing.

Fellow recruit Chad Wingard is also close to making his debut for the club after moving from Port Adelaide.

Both would provide valuable assistance to Ben McEvoy and Jaeger O’Meara in the midfield, who have started the season in red-hot fashion.

McEvoy has been one of the competition’s premier ruckman for the past three years and is showing little signs of slowing down.

Splitting the ruck duties with Jonathon Ceglar, the 29-year-old is averaging 27 hit-outs, and is using his solid frame to take marks around the ground and impact the scoreboard.

He’s been able to provide first use to O’Meara, who is on track for a break-out season. The 25-year-old is averaging 27 disposals this season, a career high, and has kicked three goals in two games.

The Hawks have traditionally played the MCG extremely well, which makes them an imposing fixture.