Hawthorn midfielder Jordan Lewis says missing last year's finals has given his side added desire to succeed in the 2010 AFL play-offs.

With the Hawks' top eight spot assured, and a home final still a possibility, Lewis said on Monday he believed they had an advantage over others in the looming finals.

"We're one of two sides that have been all the way who are in the finals series this year and we definitely know what it takes to make it to the last day in September," Lewis said of the 2008 premiers.

"We didn't make finals last year and our hunger is back.

"We've got our chance this year and hopefully we don't let ourselves down."

Heading into the final round of the regular season, the seventh-placed Hawks will get a measure of their flag potential on Saturday at the MCG against minor premiers Collingwood.

They trounced an undermanned Fremantle by 116 points at Aurora Stadium last round, although Lewis said they were wary of taking too much confidence from the game.

"It's probably a game that's hard to read," he said.

"Our KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) throughout the game were really good but Fremantle obviously didn't field their best side."

Lewis said they were intent on controlling the Dockers match after last season falling to St Kilda, who had also rested a number of stars.

"Before the game we had a meeting to say that although they didn't have their stars playing, they're kids and if you give them space and time they'll hurt you.

"We really went into it with a focus of pressuring the ball carrier and hopefully they'll turn it over and that's what happened."

The Hawks may be forced to go into the Magpies blockbuster without Luke Hodge (knee) and Grant Birchall (hamstring), although Lewis predicted Hodge would recover in time to play.

"I haven't spoken to Hodgey yet but he had scans this morning and I think they'll re-assess him today and see where he's at," Lewis said.

"It would be great to see him and (Dane) Swan play on each other this weekend, the two premier midfielders of the competition and I think he'll get up and play."

Lewis said lining up against Collingwood was ideal preparation for the finals, despite the Magpies' off-key performance in their tight win over Adelaide.

"It will give us a great read going into the finals," he said.

"We've played them once so far this year and went down but we've learnt a lot from that game.

"Coming into finals series, to play the competition leaders will be a great experience."

If Sydney (versus Brisbane) or Fremantle (versus Carlton), ranked fifth and sixth, lose on the weekend and Hawthorn win, they'll secure a home final.

"It's probably out of our control where we end up, we can only control this game," Lewis said.

"A home final would be great but if we have to go across to Perth and play Fremantle over there we'd be happy to do that too."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP