The Hawks’ director of high performance Andrew Russell confirmed on Tuesday that the East Point export would not be taking the field against the Western Bulldogs this weekend.

It is understood Frawley has been battling groin and hamstring issues since the Hawks’ most recent intraclub game.

“Frawley is not available this week but we expect him to be available for the following JLT game against Carlton,” Russell told the Hawthorn website.

Frawley’s latest setback follows an injury-marred 2017 AFL season, where he failed to play a game after round eight.

He sustained a toe injury in the clash against the Brisbane Lions, which cost him the remainder of the year.

Missing Saturday’s clash at Mars Stadium will be disappointing for Frawley, who grew up playing in Ballarat.

The former Damascus College student was drafted to the AFL from the North Ballarat Rebels with pick 12 in the 2006 national draft.

His career started at Melbourne, where he played 139 games before moving to Hawthorn as a free agent at the end of the 2014 season.

In his first year with the Hawks, he won a premiership.

Frawley will not be the only big-name Hawthorn player to sit out the opening JLT game this weekend.

Livewire Cyril Rioli, defender Grant Birchall and big man Jonathon Ceglar will all be missing from the team on Saturday afternoon.

One youngster Dogs fans will be hoping to see is Tim English, who is ready to go if called upon to play in Saturday’s preseason match.

After playing a part in the Bulldogs’ recent AFLX campaign, English said he is fit and ready to go this weekend against Hawthorn.

The 20-year-old had off-season hip surgery, but has been in full training for the past month or so.

“The hip feels really good now and I’m cruising along,” he said.

English was recruited to the Western Bulldogs with pick 19 in the 2016 national draft and made his debut for the club in last year’s round 10 clash with St Kilda. He played again against Sydney in round 12.

“Having a bit of experience last year, once you get that little taste you just want to keep playing. I’d love to be able to run back out this year in a few more games, but we will just have to wait and see,” he said.

English has been to Ballarat twice and liked what he saw.

“Being from a country area myself (the Western Australia town of Pingelly), I loved the vibe of the place and I thought it was really interesting,” he said.

“Obviously it has got a massive history behind it and you can tell that by just going there and looking at some of the older buildings.”

Saturday’s clash is set to commence from 2.05pm at Mars Stadium.