IT'S OFFICIAL – Tom Scully will debut for Hawthorn against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon at the MCG.

It marks a miraculous return for Scully, who suffered a horrific right ankle injury in round two last year.

FULL TEAM LINE-UPS Check 'em out here

In other selection news, Fremantle has confirmed Jesse Hogan will make his club debut in place of veteran Hayden Ballantyne (hamstring), while Mason Wood was the sole North Melbourne player dropped after the Roos' horror season opener against the Dockers.

Greater Western Sydney let the hard-running Scully go for a fourth-round pick in this year's NAB AFL Draft, partly because his ankle was damaged so badly.

INSIDE STORY Why Scully became a Hawk steal

Scully told hawthornfc.com.au he hadn't concentrated on speculation his comeback would be months away.

"There's been a lot of commentary around when I would return and when I would play again," Scully said.

"But for me, I haven't really been focused on that. I've had a pretty clear plan from the outset outlined by the guys here at Hawthorn.

"I've had great confidence that I would get back and this week is another step forward."

Scully, 27, has twice been nominated in the All Australian squad of 40.

David Mirra was the unlucky Hawk to make way for Scully.

The Dogs have kept the same 22 for the first time in more than a year, with Matthew Suckling overcoming an ankle concern to take his place in the side to face the Hawks.

Gold Coast pressure forward Nick Holman came into the side to face the Dockers, in place of the injured Ben Ainsworth (right knee).

Tom Campbell will line up in his first game for the Roos while defender Scott Thompson's return from suspension makes him a handy replacement for Ed Vickers-Willis, who suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Opponents Brisbane will go in unchanged.

Find In the Game on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify

Friday, March 29

Sydney v Adelaide at the SCG, 7.50pm AEDT

SYDNEY

In: B.Ronke, C.O'Riordan

Out: H.Grundy (injured), J.Dawson

ADELAIDE

In: P.Seedsman, K.Hartigan

Out: T.Doedee (knee), R.Douglas (ankle)

Saturday, March 30

Essendon v St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, 4.35pm AEDT

ESSENDON

In: D.Parish

Out: J.Ridley

ST KILDA

In: N.Brown, R.Marshall, B.Acres

Out: D.Joyce, L.Pierce, B.Long

Port Adelaide v Carlton at Adelaide Oval, 4.40pm ACDT

PORT ADELAIDE

No changes

CARLTON

In: C.Polson

Out: D.Cuningham (injured)

Geelong v Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium, 7.25pm AEDT

GEELONG

No changes

MELBOURNE

In: J.Lockhart, S.May, K.Kolodjashnij

Out: C.Spargo, C.Wagner, M.Hore

New: Jay Lockhart (Casey VFL)

West Coast v Greater Western Sydney at Optus Stadium, 5.10pm AWST

WEST COAST

In: J.Kennedy, J.Smith

Out: J.Waterman, J.Brander

New: Josh Smith (Collingwood)

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

In: M.Buntine, N.Haynes

Out: H.Perryman (punctured lung), T.Greene (injured)

Sunday, March 31

North Melbourne v Brisbane at Marvel Stadium, 1.10pm AEDT

NORTH MELBOURNE

In: S.Thompson, T.Campbell

Out: E.Vickers-Willis (knee), M.Wood

BRISBANE

No changes

Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs at the MCG, 3.20pm AEDT

HAWTHORN

In: T.Scully

Out: D.Mirra

New: Tom Scully (Greater Western Sydney)

WESTERN BULLDOGS

No changes

Gold Coast v Fremantle at Metricon Stadium, 3.40pm AEST

GOLD COAST

In: N.Holman

Out: B.Ainsworth (knee)

FREMANTLE

In: J.Hogan

Out: H.Ballantyne (hamstring)

New: Jesse Hogan (Melbourne)