Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell could make an early return from a broken hand for Saturday's AFL clash with Brisbane in Launceston.

Mitchell had a plate inserted after the Hawks' gallant win over the Western Bulldogs earlier this month.

Forward Jarryd Roughead said on Monday he expected Mitchell to be a positive addition to the line-up for their match at Aurora Stadium.

"He's moving around fine, I think he did a running session this morning, so obviously later in the week he might do a couple of ball sessions and hopefully he'll be right for Saturday," Roughead said.

"He hasn't missed many games over the past four or five years.

"He's just a real general there in the midfield and controls all the boys around the stoppages, which is what you want."

The resurgent Hawks won seven straight games before their two-point loss to ladder-leaders Geelong on Saturday and are currently in eighth place.

Roughead said a top four finish wasn't a priority - just making the finals was their short-term goal after their stuttering start to the season.

"In the last couple of weeks we've proven that we can match it with the top four sides and obviously on the weekend it didn't quite get there, but (there were) some good signs for the group," he said.

"Our goal is still to play finals footy. That's always been the goal from the start of the year, so we need to keep winning games.

"We're just trying to concentrate on winning as many as we can over the next few weeks."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP