Finals experience a factor, says Roughead

WITH a historic third flag in a row on offer, Hawthorn's wealth of finals experience will be a key factor this week.

The Eagles are appearing in their first premiership decider since they last won the flag in 2006, while Clarkson's men are into their fifth grand final in the past eight years, which Roughead said would be a big positive for his side.

"No doubt it's a major factor that we can draw on our knowledge - we've been here before and we know what to do this week," he said.

"We know how to enjoy it and we know how to go about it, which is obviously a good thing."

Hawthorn has the edge in finals experience but the Eagles will go in with the confidence of their impressive qualifying final win at Domain stadium.

Adam Simpson's side pressured the Hawks into uncharacteristic errors in that game and Roughead said it was important for his team to make the most of early opportunities to apply their own scoreboard pressure.

Hawthorn has taken the hard road to this year's Grand Final having made two trips to Perth and not had a week off, but Roughead said his teammates have been carefully managed and were ready for the challenge.

"A lot of people probably wrote us off last year with injuries ... this year we've had some similar things happen but I guess it's just a bit of a different way to get there," he said.

"This is the first time we've had to play four finals. But we've only lost two finals in the past three or four years, so it's pretty special.

"Hopefully we don't lose another one this year."