Coach Dean Bailey said the debuts of first-year recruits would be held off for at least another week.
"Although there may not be any of the first year players playing [against Hawthorn], the guys who were drafted last year are certainly going to get their chance," Bailey said on Wednesday.
He confirmed that rookie ruckman Jake Spencer would make his NAB Cup debut and Ricky Petterd, Jack Grimes and Kyle Cheney would also get greater exposure.
Bailey said the club had 32 or 33 fit players to choose from, a vastly different scenario from the start of 2008 when the club struggled to scrape together a fit team.
"We're more advanced that we were 12 months ago," Bailey said. "We've got a healthy list; they're fit, so they should be competitive longer.
"They've trained for a fair time now, so I think the players are at a stage where they are edgy and itchy to play on Saturday, so that's pretty good."
Club leader Brock McLean is also eager to play in the club's opener after an ankle injury ended his 2008 season in round 14. McLean has participated in 75 to 80 per cent of the club's pre-season and Bailey said he was raring to go.
"He's taken a while to get over his ankle," Bailey said.
"But he'll certainly be a big chance to play, 'Chook'.
"I don't think he'd want to miss out on this week."
Defender Jared Rivers, whose injury frustrations continued last Saturday when he injured his ankle during Melbourne's intra-club clash at Casey Fields, will also miss the match against the Hawks.
"He rolled his ankle about six or seven minutes into it. He's pulled up okay and he was icing it straight after the game," Bailey said.
"Although he was [on a] modified [program], I think he'll be able to walk/run on Friday, so he'll be training next week.
"He just tweaked a few ligaments, but he'll be fine, which is good."
