DEFENDER Grant Birchall is confident the Hawks can back up their brilliant semi final performance when they meet Fremantle in a preliminary final on Friday night.
The Hawks bounced back from a disappointing qualifying loss against West Coast Eagles to produce some of their best football against the Crows.
Birchall was a key component of that win, and believes the Hawks can replicate that performance.
“I think we can, as long as we bring that appetite for the contest and that real intent,” he told radio station RSN on Wednesday morning.
“I think we can put in a really strong performance.
“No doubt it’s going to be a different type of game – they’re going to really bring the heat, they’re fresh and up and about and they want to try to knock us off.”
The minor premiers have had a week’s rest after a qualifying final win against Sydney Swans, and will be primed for the contest.
While they only kicked 10 goals in that match, they do possess a number of dangerous forwards, including skipper Matthew Pavlich and smalls Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters.
Birchall said he was confident the Hawks defensive group could continue their strong form.
“We’ve been playing quite well as a unit down there for the majority of the year,” he said.
“It’s really important that we stick together and help each other out, because… they’ve got some really dangerous forwards.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge and one that we’re all looking forward to.”
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