Drysdale will unveil highly-touted recruit Jayden Hunt in tomorrow’s clash with Newcomb at Mortimer Oval.
The Hawks have confirmed the former Melbourne and West Coast speedster, who played 172 AFL games before retiring after a three-year stint with the Eagles, will make his first appearance against the Power.
After a stint in the United States, Hunt returned to Australia yesterday and trained with Drysdale last night.
“As a club, we’re really excited,” coach Ben Carmichael said. “Obviously, a big signing in the pre-season, and we’re excited he gets to go out there and have a kick
“We’re hoping he enjoys it, and I’m sure that he’ll contribute pretty well.
“He trained well, considering he got off a flight from San Francisco yesterday morning,
“He looked good, we had a good session, and the energy was high.
“Hopefully, tomorrow he can go out and put it all together.”
It is likely Hunt, who spent the majority of his AFL career in defence, will play forward.
“Going off training last night and the pre-season sessions that he did train, he’s still got his speed, he’s still competitive, and he finishes his work,” Carmichael said.
Hunt isn’t the only first-gamer for Drysdale, with former England and Great Britain representative Sam Willatt also named.
Willatt is currently the coach of Talent League club Calder Cannons’ boys team.
“He’ll sort of play as a lead-up forward,” Carmichael said. “He’s really fit. He’s got great skills on both sides.
“So, it’ll be great to see him out there as well.”
Hunt and Willatt replace Josh Hopgood and Harry Smith, who have been omitted.
At Newcomb, co-captain Dion Johnstone is back from suspension, reigning league reserves best-and-fairest Pat McGinley has overcome a broken hand suffered in the pre-season, and Judd Smith will make his first senior appearance of the season.
They replace injured trio Oli Poulson (scaphoid), Ollie Marshall (glute), and Ryan Jackman (soreness).
Former Geelong Amateur co-captain Liam Cogan will make his first senior appearance of the season in the blockbuster clash with Torquay at KFC Oval.
Cogan featured in Ammos’ reserves last week after overcoming osteiitis pubis.
The Pegs have also welcomed back Andrew Browne, Brydon Barnett and James Hickey.
John Thornton returns to Geelong College duty, Oscar Kattwinkel heads back to the under-18s, and Harley Anderson and Daniel Heygesi have been omitted.
Queenscliff has made the lone change for its meeting with Ocean Grove at Steeline Ray Menzies Oval.
Leopold premiership defender Trent Thompson returns, replacing Billy Jones, who has been squeezed out on points.
The Grubbers have named former Geelong and Sydney forward Gary Rohan for his second game – and first since Round 1.
They also get back Harry Cashin, while Lachie Joyce has been recalled from the reserves, and Billy Hayward will play his first senior match of the season.
Shannon Waldron is unavailable, and former skipper Joe McDonald is battling a hamstring complaint, while Jai Belcher and Harry Rolfs have been omitted.
Anglesea, which hosts Surf Coast at Ellimatta Reserve, has included Sam Leeds, Josh Jaska, and recruit Joel Hogan as the replacements for Harry Ling (unavailable), Declan Everett (knee), and Noah Collins (managed)
The Suns, who will be boosted by the availability of Aaron Back, have also named Tyler Flanigan, Scott Hughes and Dillyn Fedley, while Solly Mackay will make his debut.
Jay Williams (knee) and Levi Williams (elbow) are the only forced outs, with Koby Nielsen returning to the under-18s, and Tim Sadler and Tom Young omitted.
Barwon Heads has made six changes – five forced – ahead of its clash with Modewarre at APCO Cafe 24/7 Oval.
Former Geelong Amateur player Xavier Whitcher will make his debut for the Seagulls, who get back Luke Davis, Doug Bound, Charlie Hurst, Kye Smith, and Daniel Shaw.
They replace Jake Whybrow (hamstring), Ben O’Sullivan (concussion), Charley Donohue (AC joint), Joel Bartley (Geelong College), Lachie Blacket (Geelong Falcons) and Taiyo McEncroe (under-18s).
X: @krockfootball
