McEvoy's last game for Hawthorn was in Round 21 against Fremantle, with Ceglar and David Hale assuming ruck duties in the meantime.
But decent form in the VFL and a strong performance against Sydney in Round 18 meant he was recalled for the premiership decider.
McEvoy was told he would be in the first 22 during a meeting on Wednesday, and Thursday's official release of the teams confirmed the good news for his family and friends.
At Friday's Grand Final Parade, McEvoy told Sportal he'd been given specific orders to exploit his talent for the contested grab.
While Ceglar is more athletic, a feature of McEvoy's career has been the 200cm ruckman's ability to pluck towering marks, either in defence or closer to goal.
"The coaches told me that my pack marking gave me the slight advantage," McEvoy said.
"It was very tough on the guys who missed. It's just that the match committee decided this 22 would give us the best chance of victory against this opposition.
"I'll be trying to take as many marks as I can right across the ground. That's what I've been brought into the side for."
AFL grand finals have been synonymous with famous marks, and they can often happen late in a match where the result hinges on every contest.
None have been more telling than Sydney's Leo Barry in 2005.
"I don't think anybody will be able to match that effort. That will go down in history as one of the greatest moments ever," McEvoy said.
"Hopefully we're in front by a fair bit late in the game, and we need won't another Leo Barry moment."
McEvoy, a potential future captain for St Kilda, arrived at Hawthorn this year with high expectations.
While battling to win a place in the seniors was unfamiliar to him, McEvoy insisted he never became disheartened at spending extended time in the VFL.
The 25-year-old missed selection for St Kilda's drawn grand final in 2010. But he replaced injured Michael Gardiner in the following week's replay loss to Collingwood.
"I'm more mature now. But looking back I can see how that experience in 2010 has helped me this week.
"Hopefully it will help me on the field in the big game," he said.
But decent form in the VFL and a strong performance against Sydney in Round 18 meant he was recalled for the premiership decider.
McEvoy was told he would be in the first 22 during a meeting on Wednesday, and Thursday's official release of the teams confirmed the good news for his family and friends.
At Friday's Grand Final Parade, McEvoy told Sportal he'd been given specific orders to exploit his talent for the contested grab.
While Ceglar is more athletic, a feature of McEvoy's career has been the 200cm ruckman's ability to pluck towering marks, either in defence or closer to goal.
"The coaches told me that my pack marking gave me the slight advantage," McEvoy said.
"It was very tough on the guys who missed. It's just that the match committee decided this 22 would give us the best chance of victory against this opposition.
"I'll be trying to take as many marks as I can right across the ground. That's what I've been brought into the side for."
AFL grand finals have been synonymous with famous marks, and they can often happen late in a match where the result hinges on every contest.
None have been more telling than Sydney's Leo Barry in 2005.
"I don't think anybody will be able to match that effort. That will go down in history as one of the greatest moments ever," McEvoy said.
"Hopefully we're in front by a fair bit late in the game, and we need won't another Leo Barry moment."
McEvoy, a potential future captain for St Kilda, arrived at Hawthorn this year with high expectations.
While battling to win a place in the seniors was unfamiliar to him, McEvoy insisted he never became disheartened at spending extended time in the VFL.
The 25-year-old missed selection for St Kilda's drawn grand final in 2010. But he replaced injured Michael Gardiner in the following week's replay loss to Collingwood.
"I'm more mature now. But looking back I can see how that experience in 2010 has helped me this week.
"Hopefully it will help me on the field in the big game," he said.