Hawthorn Coach Sam Mitchell says he is "really proud" of rising midfielder's Finn Maginness' effort and growth across this year. 

Maginness, who signed a new two-year with the club just this week, has developed a reputation as one of the best shut-down players in the competition.

Last week the 22-year-old restricted Clayton Oliver to nine touches to three quarter-time, which caused Melbourne Coach Simon Goodwin to criticise his on-field approach.

"I think every player in the competition would love to be called 'challenging' and 'frustrating' by the opposition," Mitchell said. 

"I've seen plenty of footage of him trying to get the footy, he's certainly a negator at first.

"He started in the side at the start of the year and then had a long period out of the team. Now, he's causing opposition coaches to call him challenging and frustrating, I think you've got to be proud of what he's done as an individual player.

"Every week the opposition we play become more prepared for him, we're going to have a different challenge this week in making sure he can get his job done."

The Hawks will face Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday in its final game of the home-and-away season.

Mitchell pointed to the ruck battle set to unfold between Ned Reeves and the Docker's Luke Jackson. 

"I think Ned has held his own against Tim English and Max Gawn, who are two fantastic players," Mitchell added.

"Jackson's last five or six weeks have been outstanding. I think everyone would've watched him since before the draft and thought that this would be the player he would become.

"He has really been able to be an extra midfielder for them, it's a different skillset, he's a little bit smaller, but more mobile and covers an enormous amount of ground."

Hear more from Mitchell ahead of Round 24.