JOSH Gibson says Hawthorn's players need to harness their aggression to avoid running into more trouble with the Match Review Panel.

But Essendon midfielder Brendon Goddard doesn't expect anything less than a brutal stoush when the Bombers clash with the Hawks at the MCG on Saturday.

Gibson and Goddard were speaking at a rib-eating contest at Ribs & Burgers in Hawthorn, where they helped raise money for the Buy a Bale charity supporting rural communities and farmers.

Gibson and fellow defender Ben Stratton copped $1000 fines from the MRP for striking Crows smalls Charlie Cameron and Eddie Betts respectively during last Thursday night's win at Adelaide Oval. 

The incidents – following striking suspensions for Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis after a bruising round five triumph over North Melbourne - again raised suggestions the 'unsociable' and intimidating Hawks of 2008 were making a comeback. 

But Gibson denied Hawthorn had focused on "going harder". 

"It's not great getting fined and we don't want to be getting reported. But there's a fine line between playing hard and going over the edge and maybe a few of us just went a little bit too hard on the weekend," Gibson said. 

"But as far as unsociable goes, I don't think that's the case.

"I don't think it was any different to any other week – it's just Thursday night footy, there's more cameras."