A cagey Alastair Clarkson is keeping Hawthorn's semi-final lineup under wraps, but admits the Hawks are doomed unless they can counter Melbourne's chaos game.

The Hawks will name a replacement for premiership defender Ben Stratton ahead of Friday night's game and must also decide whether to stick with two ruckmen in Ben McEvoy and Jonathon Ceglar to negate Demons star Max Gawn.

Read: Super match preview - Hawks v Dees

Richmond's swarming pressure and unpredictability at stoppages was a critical factor in their 31-point victory over the Hawks in last week's qualifying final, and the Dees employed a similar style as they knocked Geelong out of the finals.

"We spoke about chaos ... that's where they're particularly strong," Clarkson told reporters on Thursday.

"Some of that's got to do with Gawn giving them first use of the ball, but some of it's got to do with the fact they've got some really good hunters in there.

"(Jack) Viney coming back into their side helped them enormously in the first half in particular last week.

"We need to give ourselves a chance to put our hands on the ball and then get the ball going in our direction. If we can do that then we give ourselves a chance."