Hawthorn has announced its 25-man squad ahead of the club’s first JLT clash against the Bulldogs this Saturday.

According to GM-Football Graham Wright, the Hawks have opted for an experienced outfit to get the most out of the condensed pre-season format.

"With only having two lead in matches, we wanted to take a really strong team into both JLT games,” said Wright.

"We will head into Saturday’s clash with quite an experienced line up, but with a sprinkling of new talent coming through.

“Everyone who is available, and who we feel has done the right amount of work across the pre-season, will be playing.”

Ben Stratton will make his awaited return to the game, having overcome the PCL injury that prematurely ended his 2017 campaign.

“Stratts has had a really good pre-season,” Wright said.

“He’s worked hard to get his body right, and he provides invaluable leadership in the back end, so it’s great to have him back to full fitness.”

Jarman Impey is set to pull on the brown and gold for the first time, with the versatile Power recruit named on the half forward flank. Inexperienced duo Oliver Hanrahan and David Mirra will also get their first taste of AFL football, after impressive showings during the recent AFLX tournament.

The squad will head to Ballarat on Saturday morning, ready for a 2.05pm kick off at Mars Stadium.

See the full line up below.

Read: Match preview JLT1

JLT1 TEAM

Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Mars Stadium

Saturday 3 March, 2.05pm

HAWTHORN

B: Ben Stratton, Tim O’Brien, Shaun Burgoyne

HB: Blake Hardwick, James Sicily, Ryan Burton

C: Isaac Smith, Liam Shiels, Ricky Henderson

HF: Luke Breust, Ryan Schoenmakers, Jarman Impey

F: Paul Puopolo, Jarryd Roughead, Jack Gunston

R: Ben McEvoy, Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O’Meara

INT: Marc Pittonet, David Mirra, Harry Morrison, Brendan Whitecross, Daniel Howe, Taylor Duryea, Oliver Hanrahan

EMER: Conor Glass, Teia Miles, James Cousins, James Worpel, Conor Nash

WESTERN BULLDOGS

B: E.Wood, Z.Cordy, A.Naughton

HB: J.Johannisen, M.Adams, H.Crozier

C: L.Hunter, L.Dahlhaus, B.Dale

HF: T.Liberatore, L.Jong, M.Suckling

F: M.Bontempelli, J.Trengove, M.Honeychurch

Foll: J.Roughead, T.McLean, J.Macrae

I/C: J.Dunkley, J.Schache, L.Webb, S.Biggs, B.Williams, C.Daniel, L.Picken, T.English