Hawthorn have confirmed 2018 Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell is on the cusp of playing in Round 1.

Mitchell hasn’t played a home-and-away match since breaking his leg in pre-season last year but providing he gets through Friday night’s Marsh Series clash against Melbourne unscathed, the 26-year-old is expected to play against Brisbane in Hawthorn’s season opener.

“Tom Mitchell will have a good crack tomorrow night,” assistant coach Scott Burns told reporters on Thursday.

“He should be right for Round 1 if everything goes right.”

Despite suffering what appeared to be a hamstring injury in Hawthorn's opening pre-season clash against St Kilda, Burns confirmed ruckman turned defender Ben McEvoy will line up in tomorrow's clash.

Meanwhile, the news isn’t as good at Geelong with captain Joel Selwood set to sit out their final pre-season fixtureagainst Essendon in Colac on Monday.

After off-season tendon surgery, Selwood missing Geelong's opening Marsh Series clash and was originally expected to face off against the Bombers before Round 1.

But the club has opted for the conservative route ahead of the new season.

The news is better for recruit Jack Steven, who will make his Cats debut on Monday.