UNTRIED Hawthorn ruckman Marc Pittonet will make his debut in Easter Monday's MCG blockbuster against Geelong after Jonathon Ceglar withdrew from the side with back spasms.

Pittonet, a 202cm, 97kg ruckman from the Oakleigh Chargers, was drafted in 2014 with pick No.50, and spent last season with the Box Hill Hawks.

He comes into the side for the clash with the Cats despite not being named among the emergencies on Thursday.

Pittonet will make his AFL bow alongside one of the most-hyped 'debuts' of recent years, that of Patrick Dangerfield, who begins his new career as a Geelong midfielder.

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The former Adelaide superstar, who returned home to Victoria after a brilliant 154-game stint with the Crows, will face the stellar Hawthorn midfield, led by Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis and Cyril Rioli.

The Hawks are setting course for a remarkable fourth consecutive premiership, but will do so without six members of the 2015 flag-winning side.

David Hale and Brian Lake have retired, Matthew Suckling was traded to the Western Bulldogs, and Jarryd Roughead, Bradley Hill and Liam Shiels are injured.

James Sicily, Billy Hartung, Jonathan O'Rourke, Angus Litherland and Will Langford have been named to face Geelong after missing selection in the Grand Final side.

The Cats will also see former Lion and Blue swingman Lachie Henderson and ex-Gold Coast ruckman Zac Smith make their debuts in the hoops.