Club general manager of football operations Mark Evans says the Hawks will use the match to work on their brand of structured football and get individual players fitter ahead of the AFL season proper,

as well as looking at how some of their new youngsters cope with the pace and standard of play.

"We've rested a couple of players who have played high game time in the first two rounds of the NAB Cup.

"A lot of the good guys are still in the team though," Evans said.

"There is a good mixture of experienced players as well as a few kids to have a look at."

While stopping short of saying Hawthorn would be taking a "win at all costs" attitude into the match, Evans admitted it was important to see the team clicking into place.

"You certainly want to see some good patches of play and some excitement during the day - that's what these games are about," he said.

Chance Bateman, Rhan Hooper and Brent Renouf are among those Hawks who will play their first games of the season today, alongside big names Buddy Franklin, Luke Hodge, Brad Sewell and Sam

Mitchell, who spearhead the side.

Hawthorn won its opening NAB Cup match against Richmond by 73 points in Launceston before copping a 57-point drubbing by a polished Western Bulldogs unit in round two.

Evans said discussions had been held between the two clubs, which are likely to result in 26 players per side used for the match.