Chapman, 31, was a surprise late withdrawal from a Cats practice match against Collingwood in Geelong for Friday evening, while Lake will miss a third successive outing with his new outfit against North Melbourne on Saturday.
The reliable key defender and dual All-Australian is battling constant calf soreness and is expected to be delicately handled ahead of an anticipated Hawks debut and showdown with rising Cats superstar Tom Hawkins to launch the new premiership season.
Lake, 31, was a high profile transfer last October when one of the league’s most reliable defenders walked out on the Western Bulldogs still with a year to run on his contract.
Lake was strategically attracted to the Hawks for assignments on the powerhouse opposition key focal targets.
He rejuvenated of some of his finest form last season when he managed 20 games with the Dogs averaged around 17 possessions an outing as well as about eight marks a game.
Chapman has strained thigh and was taken out of Geelong’s squad to play the Magpies after pulling up sore from Thursday’s training.
The classy veteran and triple Cats premiership ace was in blistering touch against Adelaide just a week ago when Chapman bagged three clever last term goals to clinch his outfit a come-from-behind win to round out NAB Cup commitments for the summer.
The Cats are protecting a nine-game winning streak over the Hawks since Hawthorn won the 2008 premiership against all expectations over a more fancied Geelong.
The Hawks are certain to be without champion on-baller and captain Luke Hodge for the big clash against the Cats to start the new premiership campaign as well as losing gun midfielder Matt Suckling to a season-ending knee injury.
On-ball sensation and opportunist goal-scoring shark Cyril Rioli is also expected to recover fully from ankle woes to play against the Cats.