At a glance:

  • Hawthorn v St Kilda, Morwell Rec. Reserve, FREE entry, 4:30pm Friday 28 February.
  • Brett Ratten is looking forward to seeing another new-look iteration of the senior line-up when the Saints face the Hawks in Morwell.
  • Both sides will come together this Friday at Morwell Recreation Reserve to raise funds for emergency services workers following the recent bushfire crisis in the Gippsland area.

Game day information:

Hawthorn v St Kilda
FREE ENTRY
Friday 28 February
Morwell Recreation Reserve, Travers St, Morwell 3840
Game Starts: 4:30pm

Hunter Clark in action against the Hawks last week at RSEA Park. Photo: Corey Scicluna.

Food trucks run by local vendors, Beyond Blue, Emergency Services vehicles and kids' activities will be available on the day.

Those watching the match are encouraged to bring chairs and picnic rugs to settle in and watch the State of Origin Bushfire Game on the big screens provided.

Ratten excited for Saints' 'great opportunity' in Morwell: 

Photo: Michael Willson

Brett Ratten is looking forward to seeing another new-look iteration of the senior line-up as St Kilda hit the highway to face Hawthorn in Morwell. 

The two sides will come together this Friday at Morwell Recreation Reserve to raise funds for and help support local emergency services workers following the recent bushfire crisis in the Gippsland area. 

A 25-man squad will take part in the match, with a combination of untested and experienced Saints making up the roster – an exciting prospect for the senior coach. 

“It’s going to be a great opportunity for us to get extra match-day minutes into a lot of the boys,” Ratten told saints.com.au. 

The pre-season gives us the opportunity to play our whole list that are all healthy and let them taste and experience senior footy – and what a great chance to do it in Morwell and help raise a bit of money for those affected by the bushfires.

- Brett Ratten

"We're likely to rest a few guys for Friday, but by the end of the pre-season most of the players will have at least two practice games under their belt, which is a real positive for us."

Only a handful of Saints won't be in contention for selection through injury and illness, while Bradley Hill and Jade Gresham will play in the revived State of Origin Game on Friday night. 

“It will be great to see Hilly and Gresh in the State of Origin match,” Ratten said.

“It’s a plus from both fronts – they’ll get match-day minutes against the best in the competition, while it’ll give two others a chance to test themselves against the Hawks in Morwell.”

“There is something very special about representative footy and this game in particular, is about so much more.”

READ: New numbers for Hill and Gresham ahead of State of Origin

St Kilda will face Hawthorn for the second time in as many weeks this Friday at Morwell Recreation Reserve, with the opening bounce scheduled for 4:30pm.

Entry to the game is free.

Those watching the match are encouraged to bring chairs and picnic rugs to settle in and watch the State of Origin Bushfire Game on the big screens provided.