Croad, Bateman expected to play Saints
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson expects key defender Trent Croad and onballer Chance Bateman to play against St Kilda in Saturday night's AFL preliminary final despite them carrying injury doubts this week.
Croad and Bateman took part in a light training session Friday at Waverley Park, where about one thousand Hawthorn fans took the chance to cheer their side on.
Both players have been named to play at the MCG even though Croad has been battling a foot injury and Bateman rolled an ankle in training early in the week.
But Clarkson said only another hiccup at Friday's session - which did not occur - would prevent either playing taking part.
"We've selected them, so we're anticipating they're going to play," Clarkson said.
"We've got a squad of 25, so if one of them doesn't come up we'll replace them with one of the emergencies, but we're anticipating at this point they'll both be out there."
The Hawks named defender Stephen Gilham as an emergency as insurance for Croad, who is likely to get the first go at keeping Saints star Nick Riewoldt in check.
Clarkson also confirmed star play-maker Luke Hodge had undergone scans on a foot injury, but dismissed any speculation the vice-captain would not play.
"Apparently he did (undergo scans)," Clarkson said, smiling.
"We weren't aware of it until this morning, but that's how routine it is.
"He's had a scan on his foot and that's no drama, and we'd be quite pleased if everyone read into that that he wasn't going to play."
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