Hawthorn head to Launceston this week looking to break a three-game losing streak against Port Adelaide and keep alive their finals chances.
The Hawks, who are currently sitting in sixth position with an 11-6 record, know the importance of winning this week against a side that has had their measure recently.
"They've had the wood over us slightly", said head coach Sam Mitchell before Hawthorn's main training session on Thursday.
"They've won the last three, two last year and one earlier this year.
"We haven't handled those couple of situations well.
"It's a big end of the season for every club and they're in the way of what we're trying to achieve."
During their latest game against the Power that took place in Gather Round, the Hawks had arguably their worst half of the season, where they were dominated in front of a massive crowd at Adelaide Oval.
Mitchell stated that the Hawks won't dwell too much on that game as they look to stay alive in the hunt for a second consecutive finals berth.
"I will prepare the players as best as we can to get the outcome we want, and there's a whole range of things in our kit bag that we can use for that," he said.
"We're confident we get the balance of that right most weeks, not every week, but hopefully we can produce enough information for our players that they can execute what we need to on the weekend."
After the Hawks' narrow loss to Fremantle that snapped their four-game winning streak, much has been made about the club's struggles to compete against the best in the competition.
Mitchell hasn't listened to the narrative, aware that the Hawks need to produce their best on the run home to be in contention for a premiership tilt.
"We feel like we won four in a row and some of that footy was good and some of it wasn't that great," he said.
"Last week we played some parts of really good footy and then some parts that weren't quite up to standard.
"When you play against the really good sides, and Fremantle are certainly one of those and Port Adelaide are more than capable of being a fantastic side, so we know we need to play our best.
"I don't think there are too many teams that can be too far from their best too often and we are certainly in that boat where we're going to have to produce close to the top range of our talents and attributes to be successful."
The Hawks, who registered a 70% success rate for tackles on the weekend, were put through their paces during the main training session with contested one on one tackling drills to make sure they are sharp and prepared for the physicality of the weekend, as they were slightly off the pace in the last quarter against the Dockers that ultimately cost them the four points.
"We had the second most tackles for the round but they (Fremantle) were outstanding," Mitchell added.
"They were able to produce that consistently for 30 minutes at the end and we were just a step off that and we paid the price."
Key forward Mabior Chol, who had played every game for the season to date, was part of the rehabilitation group at training and looks unlikely to play this weekend.
In his place, injury-hit key forward Mitchell Lewis looks ready to return to the senior side for the first time since last year when he suffered an ACL injury that has seen him yet to feature at AFL level in 2025.
When asked about Lewis, Mitchell was coy on his possible inclusion to the side.
"He played really well again on the weekend for Box Hill," the Hawks coach said.
"He's had two games with limited minutes and basically a full game last week, so he is getting closer."
Lewis has kicked 10 goals in his three outings for Box Hill, recording a bag of five goals last week as he put himself into contention to replace Chol, who has kicked 31 goals this season and is currently second for goals at the club in 2025.
Injured young duo Josh Weddle and Noah Mraz walked the steps of the grandstand at Bunjil Bagora as they both aim to return to football later on this season, while star midfielder Will Day went through an extended training block after the session finished as he looks to return in Round 20 against the Blues in what would be a bonus for the Hawks finals chances.
The Hawks will look to make it four wins from four outings this year at their home away from home at UTAS Stadium in Launceston.
The Hawks, who boast a winning percentage of over 75 % at the venue, will look to continue the trend and make it a clean sweep of wins from their four outings this year.
"It's an election day as well, so it's going to be a significant day for the state.
"I'm looking forward to getting back together to the home deck."
