In theory Hawthorn should be in line for a perfectly straightforward AFL win over Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.

The Hawks are in ideal form - third on the ladder, fresh from a bye and with star small forward Cyril Rioli back in the side from injury.

Melbourne, by contrast, will have to quickly readjust to cold wintry weather after last weekend's hot and humid conditions in Darwin as well as a long flight home and are coping with unwanted speculation over young gun Tom Scully - who has been ruled out of the side anyway.

The Hawks have also beaten Melbourne the past seven times the sides have met, including in round two this year.

But Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson remains wary of a team he knows is historically unpredictable.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey admitted his side was flat after their exhausting trip to the Northern Territory but Clarkson says he must be cautious.

"We've gone okay against Melbourne in the last little while but I reckon they are improving as a side," Clarkson said on Saturday.

"They've been a little bit inconsistent this year. Their good performances have been really good and their poor ones have been quite bad.

"We're obviously hoping for one of their poorer performances tomorrow but we know when they're at their best they can be very damaging, the Demons.

"We saw that in the round two clash that we had with them. We just couldn't put any scoreboard pressure on early in the game and they got out to a three or four goal lead just prior to half-time. We were really struggling then we had a terrific second half."

Clarkson warned that the Hawks could not afford to ease off at any point in the match but was confident if they played to their ability, should win.

"We know when we play our best that we're pretty hard to beat but if we're anywhere below that it will give Melbourne a real chance," he said.

Brad Sewell is back in the side along with Rioli after Clarkson said the club took an extra careful approach to managing their injuries.

"They could perhaps have even nearly played before the bye, particularly Cyril, but we knew we had the bye coming up and it was a good chance to get a good four week training block into them.

"They're well prepared and ready to go.

"Our bye came at a pretty opportune time for our footy club," Clarkson said.

"We've gone pretty hard and we've lost a few guys along the way but it gave us a chance just to rest a few bodies.

"They've come back this week with a renewed energy and spirit and are looking forward to the last seven home and away matches and hopefully go as deep into the finals as we can," he said.

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