HAWTHORN is preparing to short-circuit Port Adelaide's hard-running brand of football in "a brutal contest" at the MCG on Saturday, Hawks vice-captain Jordan Lewis says.
The Hawks will try to outmuscle the Power in a bid to deny Port's pacy mids possession.
"The ball obviously doesn't get on the outside unless you win it on the inside," Lewis told AFL.com.au at the All Australian team announcement on Tuesday night.
"We understand you need to kick a score to win, but you also need to restrict the opposition.
"It's going to be a really tight contest and I think historically finals may not have been played as outside as the ones we've seen so far, but we expect it to be a brutal contest."
Lewis has become an increasingly important cog in the Hawks' midfield this season and received his first All-Australian guernsey on Tuesday night.
The 28-year-old has averaged almost 28 possessions and a goal per game in what has been a career-best season.
Although Lewis has gone to another level in 2014, he expects to get even better next year.
"I think as competitive people and athletes you always look to improve," he said.
"No one ever really stands still and you've got to understand that you probably never really reach your potential.
"We get critiqued every week from the coaching staff and I've certainly improved a lot this year but I'll be looking to improve even more next year."
The Hawks have had the week off to freshen-up to face the Power and are in the enviable position of debating whether to bring Cyril Rioli, Matt Suckling and Ben McEvoy - among others - into the side.
"I think as a side we're really well-placed in terms of we're not screaming out for Cyril," Lewis said.
"It would be great to have him if he comes up this week, but if he doesn't we've got two or three people that can come in and fill a spot.
"Matt Suckling's one that probably could have played last week, but they chose not to play him and he's a high possibility to come in this week."