Hawthorn heads into this Sunday night's blockbuster clash against Brisbane knowing that the finals unofficially start for them as they look to gain momentum for September, which will bring their second consecutive finals berth.
The clash against the Lions gives them an opportunity to not only gain a valuable four points and give themselves a shot at a top-four position and an all-important double chance in the finals, but also gives them four quarters to test themselves against the reigning premiers before finals footy commences.
"We feel like we've been playing finals-type games for a long period now," said Hawthorn head coach Sam Mitchell.
"So we've put ourselves in a good position.
"Brisbane is a really good side.
"They're fighting for a lot, so are we.
"So we're looking forward to the game."
The Hawks haven't played the Lions at the Gabba since 2019, and this will be the first time many of the Hawks' line-up have played the Lions in Brisbane.
"Hawthorn has not spent much time at the Gabba.
"Even as a player, we didn't go there too often.
"So, it's a bit different.
"Their record there historically has been fantastic.
"They've had a little bit more trouble recently, so we think we can play some good footy there."
The Hawks have had some opportunities this year to win on the road and have been unable to pass those tests, despite being in front at three-quarter time against fellow top-eight fancies Adelaide, Fremantle and Gold Coast.
Mitchell is aware that the challenge of defeating the reigning Premiers on their home deck will build confidence in his team before September football commences.
"It feels like there are a lot of perfect tests in this season.
"Even in our last six weeks, we played Freo over there, Adelaide, and Adelaide.
"We're in front at three-quarter time in both of those games, and we couldn't get it done.
"So we failed both of those tests.
"And this is just another one: Brisbane, the reigning Premier on their home deck, last game of the season. You couldn't ask for a better lead into the finals.
"So we're looking forward to it, to see if we've made the progress that we're going to need to be where we want to be.
"Leading at three-quarter time is not what we're about.
"So you need to win the games and stay in it to the end.
"I imagine it'll take a full four quarters to beat Brisbane."
The Hawks will look to continue with the four tall forwards in their forward line, which has provided dividends in the past three weeks as opposition defences struggle to stop one forward from getting off the chain.
Over the past three weeks, 33-year-old Jack Gunston has been that player for Hawthorn, kicking 15 goals and has been ably supported by Mitchell Lewis, Calsher Dear and Mabior Chol up forward.
Gunston's on-field leadership in the forward line has impressed Mitchell just as much as his football this year.
"We'll say to him, can you just have a look at some of our front half ball movement or something?
"And he'll look into that and help the coaches with finding the best ways to score for us and help coach the players on it.
"We feel like the system we're running at the moment is working pretty well, and the players individually are in good form.
"So he's a big part of that.
"But he's also coached all those other guys on helping Adrian Hickmott to get the best out of that forward group.
"I'm rapt for him that he's going to be an All-Australian again."
Changkuoth Jiath sent a scare through the team as he left the park early after spending time talking to High Performance Manager Peter Burge and the trainers.
With Jiath potentially in doubt for the massive clash, it would leave Cam Mackenzie and Sam Butler in line for a recall, with both being added to the 26-man squad that was named on Thursday evening.
Both players trained strongly during the main training session at Bunjil Bagora, giving Sam Mitchell and the selection committee options should a forced change need to be made from last week's side that won convincingly against the Demons.
Young dashing defender Josh Weddle continued his recovery from his stress fracture in his back, joining in during drills and match simulation as he looks to make a return before the end of the season.
Weddle, who was named in the AFL's 22under22 this week, has a scan on his back on Monday morning, which will guide the Hawks as to whether or not his season is over.
"We've trained him, and the medical guys have got a really clear plan," said Mitchell.
"Train him at a point when, if his back holds up to it, then he'll be potentially available going forward.
"Out of that scan on Monday will come one of two things. One is that his back hasn't quite handled the training loads that we've put in front of him, and in which case, he will be ruled out for the season.
"But more optimistically, if he has handled it, then he'll be a chance to play some footy in the next week or two after that."
With a likely top-four spot up for grabs in the second-last game of the home-and-away season, the Hawks' clash against the Lions at the Gabba has massive ramifications for both sides.
"We can't control the games before us; we're the last game in the round as well.
"So we'll know a fair bit more before we go into it.
