With the Hawks ready to take on Sydney Swans in the Grand Final on Saturday, hawthornfc.com.au looks at the five key players who could impact the result.

1. Grant Birchall (Hawthorn)
Birchall has a knack for performing on the big stage, with his role in last year’s Grand Final win over Fremantle among the best performances of his career.

The Tasmanian half-back was crucial in kick starting an array of Hawks attacks, while providing his famed rebound from opposition forward entries.

He had the equal-most disposals of any Hawk on the day (26), while there was no player on the ground that had more marks (11) or rebounds out of defence (five). His disposal efficiency of 76.9 per cent represented the Hawks’ brilliant use of the footy, with no player on the ground with more than 20 disposals recording a higher disposal efficiency rating.

Birchall delivered a similarly sharp performance in the Hawks Qualifying Final against Geelong,with his 27 disposals (77.8 per cent efficiency), eight marks and six inside 50s creating numerous avenues to goal.

He was better contained in the Preliminary Final by Port Adelaide, however, still managed to have a defensive impact by laying three tackles to go with his 16 disposals.

The last time Hawthorn played Sydney, Birchall was at his attacking best, finishing with 24 disposals (91.7 per cent efficiency), six marks and four inside 50s, while also directly setting up two goals to finish with the equal-most goal assists of either side.

2. Nick Malceski (Sydney Swans)
Malceski was rewarded for his devastating season off half-back by being named in their in the All Australian team this year, underlining his star status in the game.

He had the most metres gained of any player in the league, with his run out of defence and down the wings creating multiple scoring opportunities for the Swans while upsetting the defensive structures of the opposition.

With one game to play, he is averaging 22.9 disposals, 3.9 marks, 4.9 rebound 50s and 3.6 inside-50s, while operating at 72.5 per cent disposal efficiency.

The Hawks are well aware of the damage he can cause, with his 17 disposals (14 kicks), 10 rebound-50s and two crucial goals at the start and end of the game in the 2012 Grand Final making him arguably the most destructive player on the ground.

The Hawks will again need to be mindful of Malceski’s influence, as well as the rebound that teammates Gary Rohan, Rhyce Shaw and Dane Rampe provide out of defence.

With Alastair Clarkson training his men to be competent in a variety of roles, there are a number of players who are capable of shutting down Malcesk and the Swans’ run off half-back.

Nick Malceski in action.

3. Luke Breust (Hawthorn)
While all the talk has been about the tall forwards of Sydney and Hawthorn, little has been said about the impact Breust could have in the Grand Final.

Often on Grand Final day it is the impact of small forwards that is the difference if you cast your minds back to the likes of Stuart Dew, Cyril Rioli, Paul Chapman and Steve Johnson.

That means Breust is a key player for the Hawks against the Swans on Saturday.

Breust has been exceptional this year, named as the All Australian small forward with 54 goals for the year.

He has kicked a goal in all but one game this year and pounced on his myriad of opportunities with a remarkable conversion rate, rarely disappointing when the pressure is on.

He dishes them off too, ranked second in the league this year for goal assists with 30.

Undoubtedly, All Australian Sydney small defender Nick Smith will get the job in a battle that could prove critical in the result on Saturday.

Breust celebrates a goal against the Swans in Round 18.

4. Liam Shiels (Hawthorn)
Whether he’s used as a defensive midfielder or as a free-wheeling one, Shiels will be an important player for the Hawks on Saturday.

On the big stage last year, the tough Hawk kept Fremantle’s Stephen Hill goalless and limited him to just 21 disposals and one inside 50, while he laid nine tackles himself - the most of any player on the ground.

This year, Shiels has increased his offensive output thanks to the inclusion of Will Langford, who has taken on some of that defensive task.

But Shiels is tough and loves getting his hands dirty, so while he’s increased his offensive output, his defence is just as good.

He’s averaged career-best numbers in disposals (22.7), contested possessions (8.4), tackles (6.2), inside-50s (4.2) and clearances (3.7).

Shiels laid a combined 18 tackles in the Hawks two finals this year, with his contested work on a variety of opponents having a profound effect on the greater good of the Hawks midfield.

Shiels in action for the Hawks.

5. Adam Goodes (Sydney Swans)
The dual Brownlow medallist looms as a tricky proposition for the Hawks on Saturday.

Despite being 34 years of age, Goodes showed the mobility of his early years in his 350^th game against North Melbourne in last week’s preliminary final, finishing with 17 touches, five marks, six inside 50s and three goals in an ominous performance.

It was comparably dominant to the last time Goodes played in a Grand Final, where he kicked one goal and directly assisted another three to sink the Hawks despite suffering from a knee injury.

Goodes seems to always put in a powerful performance against the Hawks, kicking a team-best four goals and contributing six one-percenters in Round 18 at the MCG this year.

Goodes must be paid due respect, especially in a Grand Final, despite much of the hype generally following his taller teammates.

Ben Stratton, who stands at 189 cm, could be the man to stand him but it will take a team effort to stop all the Swans forwards.