The pacy midfielder hasn’t played in either of the Hawks’ finals.

“It was a hamstring strain and he hurt it against Rutherglen in the last round,” coach Adam Mudra said.

“He’s had the two weeks off now, so his inclusion obviously makes us better.

“It means somebody will be unlucky to miss out.”

The Hawks are coming off a thrilling three-point loss against Thurgoona in the second semi.

They kicked 9.16 against the Bulldogs and that was a fortnight after booting 11.18 in that final round against Rutherglen.

However, the Hawks had produced a more accurate display (13.8) against Wahgunyah in the qualifying final.

“It might have been a bit of fatigue or it might be a bit of pressure (for the inaccuracy),” Mudra said.

“I don’t think it’s a technical issue, there’s been games across the course of the season where we’ve been really accurate in front of goal.”

The Hawks have won both games against Rutherglen.

Despite their inaccurate display recently, they edged out the Cats by a point, while racking up a 19-point win in round three.

Rutherglen has suddenly became the master of the escape after toppling Wahgunyah, despite trailing by 29 points at half-time.

In the elimination final, the Cats ran down a 17-point final quarter deficit against Mitta United.

“It’s good to know that we have belief at the end of games,” coach Damien Wilson said.

The match at Sandy Creek will pit some of the league’s more dangerous forwards.

Rutherglen duo Ron Fuge and John Spencer have 73 and 64 goals respectively, while Guy Telford has 71, including nine in the qualifying final against Wahgunyah.

“It’s pretty obvious they have key forwards, in Telford and the like,” Wilson said.

“I think it will be similar to round 18 with the midfield battle, that’s where it will be won or lost.”

Bartel’s inclusion adds zip to the Hawks’ on-ball brigade and they’ll need it too against the fast-finishing Cats.

“At the moment, they’re really dangerous,” Mudra said.

“Obviously they’re playing with a lot of emotion, momentum and a lot of confidence.

“They’re really building momentum at the right time of the year.”

And the Cats will also name Pat Murtagh and Spencer after the pair recovered from a head knock and knee complaint respectively.

“We’re structuring up really well and the guys are starting to believe in the game plan and it’s working well for us,” Wilson said.

The winner will look to stop Thurgoona’s reign.

“We like to think we can use the footy pretty well and we’d like to think we have the ability to obviously run and carry the footy really well,” Mudra said.