Premiership defender Ryan Schoenmakers has been ruled out of Friday night's ANZAC Round opener against Adelaide at the MCG.

The South Australian backman has been sidelined with a groin injury that kept him out of Hawthorn’s three-point win over St Kilda in Tasmania last weekend.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson confirmed on Thursday that the key defender wouldn't be risked against the Crows.

Josh Gibson also missed Saturday's victory in Launceston due to minor hamstring soreness, but coach Clarkson has already declared him “ready to go” ahead of Friday night’s clash with the Crows the MCG.

Gibson looms as an important inclusion given Adelaide is the second-highest scoring team of the year to date, trailing only the undefeated North Melbourne.

Speedster Bradley Hill (wrist) is edging closer to a return to action and could also confront the Crows on Friday night.

First-year Hawk Kieran Lovell kicked five goals in Box Hill's 15-point VFL win over Williamstown on Sunday, while Dallas Willsmore (28 disposals, one goal), Jonathan O’Rourke (24 disposals, one goal) and Brendan Whitecross (21 disposals, one goal) also impressed.

It would be a somewhat risky call for Clarkson and his coaching panel to promote from the state league however given the five-day break between the club’s VFL and AFL fixtures.