AFL premiers Hawthorn have recalled reigning club champion Josh Gibson among three changes for Friday’s pre-season clash with North Melbourne in Launceston.

Gibson returns alongside skipper Luke Hodge and veteran onballer Brad Sewell in a 29-man squad that will be cut to 26.

They replace Paul Puopolo, Taylor Duryea and No.24 draft pick Billy Hartung in the side which thrashed a depleted Brisbane Lions lineup by 131 points at Etihad Stadium on February 13.

Draftee Dayle Garlett has been overlooked by the Hawks for a second successive game, after coach Alastair Clarkson revealed last week that the 20-year-old West Australian was still adjusting to the heavy training loads of pre-season.

“He’s been training okay,” Clarkson told reporters on Wednesday.

“But we have only three really serious hitouts before round one and there are plenty of others we’re going to pick before him at this point in time.”

Former St Kilda ruckman Ben McEvoy has been retained in the squad after a solid performance against the Lions last week.

“The real outcome we were searching for out of last week’s game was get game time and minutes into players and get some chemistry among the new guys,” Clarkson said.

“We get another opportunity this Friday night against the Kangaroos, but it’s really about getting game time and getting read for round one.

“To get a gauge on where our club’s at or where Brisbane is at, is far too premature at this point in time.”

North Melbourne have added pacy utility Aaron Mullett, young key defender Cameron Delaney and ruckman Majak Daw as well as No.30 draft pick Trent Dumont from SANFL club Norwood.

Leigh Adams, Liam Anthony, defender Nathan Grima and forward Robbie Tarrant will all miss for the second successive game.

The Kangaroos went down to Carlton by seven points in Ballarat last weekend.