With the Hawks ready to take on Port Adelaide in a Preliminary Final on Saturday, hawthornfc.com.au looks at the five key players who could impact the result.

1. Luke Breust (Hawthorn)
Breust’s size and versatility makes him difficult to predict and contain, kicking a goal with one in every three kicks this season.

His 54 goals ranks him seventh in the league for overall goals this year, while his 28 goal assists ranks him third in the competition – indicative of his selflessness and ability to work well with his teammates.

The 23 year old also adds potency to the Hawks’ midfield brigade, rotating through the centre bounce setup to add another dimension to stoppage structures while getting more involved in the game outside of the forward line.

Port Adelaide has conceded goals to opposition small forwards throughout the year, with Docker Michael Walters kicking a combined six goals in his two outings in three weeks against the Power.

The last time the Hawks played the Power, Breust kicked an equal team-high three goals, while also contributing three clearances and four tackles.

With Roughead and Gunston likely to attract the attention of key Power defenders Alipate Carlile and Jackson Trengove, Breust could be the one to get off the chain and take charge of the Hawks’ attack.

2. Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)
Port Adelaide’s rise to one of the league’s elite teams has been on the back of their skipper’s outstanding form.

Although often left out of discussions about the game’s best midfielders, possibly because he plays for an interstate team, Boak’s impact on his team and the results of games as names such as Ablett, Pendlebury and Selwood.

Boak was far and away Port’s best in their Round 10 win over the Hawks, picking up 34 disposals, 10 clearances, seven tackles, seven inside 50s and a goal.

The hard-running midfielder inflicts most of the damage forward of centre, receiving the clearing kick from the dynamic trio of Matthew Broadbent, Jasper Pittard and Jared Polec off half-back.

Boak leads the Power for forward 50 entries, averaging 4.8 per game, while he’s also ranked first for average disposals (26.6) - his running power through the midfield is exceptional.

He was exceptional in the first final against Richmond with 34 disposals and a goal, while he was heavily tagged against Freo and managed just 16 touches.

Given his ability to break games open, Boak could again find he’s got some attention from the opposition, with Liam Shiels or Will Langford the candidates to do the job for the Hawks.

Travis Boak in action for the Power.

3. Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
The 26 year-old has been outstanding this year, winning the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award after averaging 25 disposals, four marks, six clearances, three inside-50s and 1.6 goals per game this year.

Impressively, he has also assisted on 32 goals this season, which sees him ranked first in the league in this area.

He is an undisputed match-winner, with his ability to win games off his own boot clearly demonstrated in last week’s upset Semi Final win over Fremantle in Perth – booting four goals in the third quarter to kick-start the Power’s run of goals.

Gray was also instrumental in his team’s win over the Hawks in Round 10, with his seven clearances (five centre clearances), four inside 50s, two goals and two goal assists hurting the Hawks in all areas of the ground.

From the midfield to the backline, it will take a tenacious team defence to limit the Gray’s impact at the MCG on Saturday, with his output likely to have a big say in the outcome of the game.

4. Isaac Smith (Hawthorn)
Port Adelaide’s impressive running power has been much publicised throughout the year, but the Hawks aerobic weapon has the potential to be the most damaging runner at the MCG on Saturday.

Although receiving considerable attention from opposition taggers throughout the year, Smith has broken the shackles to deliver a career year running between the wing and half forward.

His break-out year has seen him rank fourth at the Hawks for disposals (22.9 average), second for inside 50s (3.6), third for marks (5.5) and fourth for goals (22).

He has also taken 59 running bounces, which has him ranked fifth in the competition in this area.

When the Hawks played the Power earlier in the year, Smith played arguably the most impressive game of his career, standing up in the absence of key players.

He tallied 27 disposals, five marks, five inside 50s and two goal assists, but his grunt work in tough situations was what stood out the most.

The 25 year-old amassed 11 contested possessions, five tackles and three clearances, demonstrating a hunger for the contest that was sorely needed without experienced Hawks leaders.

With intensity and contested footy rising as the finals progress, Smith looms as a weapon for the Hawks if he can produce a similarly rounded performance as the one he gave last time the Hawks faced the Power.

Isaac Smith celebrates a goal. 

5. Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide)
It was a toss up between Wines and Chad Wingard for this last spot but given the publicity around the latter, we thought it’d be better to highlight a player who at times, slips under the radar of opposition teams.

Wines might be in just his second season of league footy and still just 19 years of age but he plays with composure and skill beyond his years.

He has proven himself as a big game player, picking up 24 disposals against the Tigers in the Elimination Final, second only for disposals and clearances (four) to Boak.

But he saved his best for the cut-throat Semi Final against Freo, playing his best ever game of league football with 26 disposals, seven clearances, seven inside 50s, five tackles and three goals.

He’s had an outstanding season, ranked third for average disposals at his club with 24.6 for the year, third for clearances (4.7), third for centre clearances (1.7), third for tackles (4.9) and equal fourth for inside 50s (3.5).

While opposition teams can get caught up in focusing on shutting down the likes of Boak, Gray and Hamish Hartlett, Wines is the one that can get off the chain and hurt you around stoppages and around goals.

The Hawks will need to be aware of that on Saturday.

Ollie Wines celebrates one of his three goals against Freo.