Burton will debut for the Hawks despite having played just a few games of football in the last two years.

The Hawks chose the forward at No.19 in last year's national draft, after he missed his entire draft season through injury.

Burton suffered a tibial plateau fracture - a break down the part of the shinbone that connects to the knee joint, controlling its range of motion and stability - while playing a school game in 2014.

His surgeon told him the injury was like that suffered by some car crash victims, and it made a number of clubs nervous about drafting him with an early pick.

Before he was injured, Burton, a bold and confident forward, had been considered a possible top 10 pick.

Burton played some football early in the year for Box Hill, then was sent for further (planned) surgery to remove a rod from his leg.

He has excited supporters in the last couple of weeks, since returning to the VFL side to build some fitness and form ahead of the finals.

The 19-year-old kicked three goals and took nine marks in last week's game.

The Hawks regained Liam Shiels, Paul Puopolo and James Frawley, recalling Billy Hartung from the VFL.

Ben Stratton (pectoral) and James Sicily (suspended) were forced out of the side, with Tim O'Brien, Jono O'Rourke and Kurt Heatherley dropped.

Ben Brown and Scott Thompson were both named in the Roos' side, despite battling knee and groin problems this week.

Lachie Hansen has been picked to play just his second game of the year, with small forward Robin Nahas also selected.

Brad McKenzie was dropped and Ryan Clarke, who received a heavy knock to the shoulder last week, has been rested.