Hawthorn has made a season-high six changes to its line up ahead of Sunday’s Round 9 clash with the Lions.

The Hawks were forced to make two changes through injury, with James Frawley (shoulder) joining Jaeger O’Meara (calf) on the sidelines.

“Chip pulled up sore out of the game last week,” GM-Football Graham Wright said.

“He trained yesterday so we were hoping he’d be right to play, but unfortunately that shoulder is still not 100 percent so we’re not going to risk it.”

Returning premiership star Paul Puopolo will be joined in the side by James Cousins, David Mirra, Kaiden Brand, James Worpel and debutant Mitch Lewis, while four Hawks have been omitted.

Read: Lewis' AFL dream come true

“There’s obviously a fair bit of movement in our side this week,” Wright said.

“There’s a few guys in Tim O’Brien, Dan Howe, Will Langford and Brendan Whitecross who we felt would benefit from a run at Box Hill to try and regain some form.

“We’ve obviously got Poppy coming back from injury which is an important inclusion for us, and Mitch Lewis has earned his call up off the back of some really impressive VFL performances.

“The other four guys coming in have also performed well both at Box Hill and on the training track in recent weeks and deserve their spots.

“The Lions loom as a dangerous opponent as they hunt their first win, so we’re hopeful these guys can bring that bit of added energy and excitement to the group.”

Match preview: Round 9

ROUND 9 TEAM

Brisbane v Hawthorn

The Gabba

Sunday 20th May, 3.20pm

B: Jarman Impey, Ben Stratton, Kaiden Brand

HB: Taylor Duryea, James Sicily, Blake Hardwick

C: Isaac Smith, Shaun Burgoyne, Jack Gunston

HF: Ryan Burton, Mitch Lewis, Ricky Henderson

F: Liam Shiels, Jarryd Roughead, Harry Morrison

R: Ben McEvoy, Luke Breust, Tom Mitchell

INT: Paul Puopolo, James Worpel, James Cousins, David Mirra

EMER: Will Langford, Tim O’Brien, Daniel Howe, Brendan Whitecross

IN: Mitch Lewis, Paul Puopolo, David Mirra, James Worpel, James Cousins, Kaiden Brand

OUT: Jaeger O’Meara (calf), James Frawley (shoulder), Will Langford, Tim O’Brien, Daniel Howe, Brendan Whitecross

NEW: Mitch Lewis (Calder Cannons)