Hawthorn ruckman Jonathan Ceglar is "hungry" to win back his spot in the ruck ahead of the qualifying final clash against West Coast after being demoted from last year's premiership team.

Hawks development coach Marco Bello said Ceglar, who returned from a back injury in Saturday's qualifying final win for Box Hill against Footscray, was desperate to return to the senior team ahead of their finals campaign.

Bello believes Ceglar's VFL performance will again open discussions at the selection table for which ruck combination will be best against the Eagles.

"He's hungry," Bello said. "He's had a slow last couple of weeks in terms of missing last week and obviously out of the side the week before, he's really hungry to ensure that if the opportunity comes, that he doesn't get overlooked again."

Ceglar again put pressure on the spots of Ben McEvoy and David Hale with an impressive display against Will Minson and Ayce Cordy of the Bulldogs.

"He, especially, is a good driver for the big fellas," Bello said.

"He took one real big mark in the last quarter and he pushes the opposition ruckman to have to defend.

"He really pushes them around the ground with his athleticism."

Tough defender Matt Spangher was also eyeing off a return to the senior line-up, according to Bello.

"I think the boys were labelling him Spang-tember. It's his month and we need him at Box Hill and for him to be doing it at Box Hill, ensures he's doing everything right for him to be able to do it at AFL level," he said.

Jonathan Simpkin (36 touches), Billy Hartung (30 and seven tackles), Brendan Whitecross (25) and Jono O'Rourke (25) were all pressing for a return against the Eagles.

"That's what we need. We need to bat as deep as we can and ensure we keep pushing those guys up above to play a good brand of footy. They can't get comfortable," he said.

Simpkin, a favourite for the Liston Trophy, is in supreme form.

"He's had an outstanding season. He's probably doing everything he possibly can to be putting his hand up. It hasn't gone his way but he hasn't let that get in front of him. The boys really look up to him," Bello said.

It may also be Bello that is in for a promotion at the end of the VFL season given the need for a replacement for Brendon Bolton in the Hawks' assistant coaching ranks. Bello was more focused on ensuring Box Hill makes their third consecutive grand final.

"I'll never say no if it is the case," Bello said.

"I'm certainly not focusing on that. If it comes my way, that will be nice but I'm all about team success and ensuring that the club is doing so whatever capacity I can do it in, I'm happy to do it in."

Meanwhile, Collingwood's Brent Macaffer said he is thrilled with his form (27 disposals) in his fourth consecutive VFL outing since returning from an ACL injury.

"I've got four games under my belt now and I'm starting to find my legs out there and I'm looking forward to next week now," Macaffer told Channel Seven.