THERE’S not much guesswork involved when sides prepare to play Hawthorn.

They know how consistent and influential the reigning premiers' star-studded midfield is.

They know the Hawks will crank the pressure up and force errors, a key factor in premiership favourites the Sydney Swans losing last Saturday night at the MCG.

They know Jack Gunston and Luke Breust will both be threats up forward, and that putting too much attention into Jarryd Roughead is fraught with danger.

But with Matt Spangher back in the side for Sunday's clash with Western Bulldogs in Launceston, coach Alastair Clarkson is hoping his side's versatility comes to the fore.

"(Ryan Schoenmakers can be switched into attack and) Spangher can play forward too," Clarkson said on Saturday.

"We like to have that flexibility in our side and we've been unable to have that over the last few weeks.

"If we can get that flexibility ... it helps.

"We'll just have to see how the Bulldogs structure up in their front end, as to whether Spangher plays back or forward."

Premiership ruckman David Hale also returns, with Clarkson confident his team won't be run off their feet by the Bulldogs.

"Perhaps we've been a little bit shorter than we would have liked over the last few weeks in (Brian) Lake's absence and then Spangher's absence," he said.

The Swans, Hawks and Geelong are still jostling to finish the season in top spot.

Fremantle and Port Adelaide lost ground in the race for the minor premiership with recent losses to St Kilda and Richmond respectively.

Clarkson doesn't want a similar slip up against the 14th-placed Bulldogs, who tested Essendon in their most recent outing.

"There's been some really good performances in the last few weeks from sides that aren't in the eight," he said.

"It's getting to the pointy end of the season and we're very respectful of the Western Bulldogs and what they're capable of achieving on their good days.

"We've got to anticipate it's going to be a good day for them tomorrow."