Hawthorn are less inspired by their unlikely 2008 AFL premiership than they are determined to atone for the two barren seasons that followed.

Much has been made of 2008 as a shining example for the Hawks as they seek to overcome premiership favourites Collingwood and Geelong in this finals series.

Three years ago, the Hawks finished the season placed second behind reigning premiers Geelong and then upset the Cats in a memorable grand final.

But Hawks midfielder Jordan Lewis, a member of that premiership team, said the bigger motivation was the struggles that followed.

They were ninth in 2009 and lost last year's elimination final.

This season the Hawks broke back into the top four.

After a disappointing qualifying final against Geelong, the Hawks overpowered Sydney in their semi-final to set up Friday's preliminary final clash against the Magpies.

"We try not to talk about 2008 much but we try and talk about the disappointing years of 2009 and `10, where we really did waste our opportunity," Lewis said.

"We probably didn't deserve to be in the final last year and we think we deserve our spot this year.

"It's do or die this Friday night ... we haven't really achieved what we wanted.

"We'll be putting everything on the line."

After a below-par effort against the Cats, the more experienced Hawthorn players set a fierce example last Friday night in the first term against Sydney.

Michael Osborne and Chance Bateman were noticeable with their attack on the ball, while Lewis also needed his face bandaged.

That fanaticism will be essential on Friday night against the defending premiers.

"Both sides will go into the game with a lot of tactics but first and foremost you've got to put your head over the ball and win the contested ball," Lewis said.

"It's like any final, it's going to be hot early and we need to weather the storm.

"So do they - we're going to come out with all guns blazing.

"It's the side that adapts the best will get the advantage early."

Meanwhile, Lewis is confident star forward Lance Franklin will be ready for this week's game after missing the Monday night All-Australian function because of a stomach bug.

It has been a challenging finals series so far for Franklin, who recovered from a knee injury to kick four goals against Sydney.

Franklin also was kept away from Tuesday training, partly to make sure no one else catches his illness.

"That's why they wanted to keep him inside, it's one of those illnesses that probably spreads - he's on top of it now," Lewis said.

"He's made friends with the toilet bowl the last couple of days.

"He's fine, there's no doubt he'll play this weekend, so it's not an issue for the rest of the week."

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