HAVING played Sydney seven days ago, Hawthorn is expecting a similar contest between the two sides when they meet tonight in the first Qualifying Final tonight at the MCG.

Speaking to hawthornfc.com.au before the game, Assistant Coach Brett Ratten said the Club expects the Swans to play similarly to last Friday night, but there will be at least some variations.

“It’s pretty hard to go in with one game plan one week and then change completely to another game plan the next week,” he said.

“There’ll be a lot of things that are similar, but there might be some players in different positions - it’ll be interesting.

“There might be some different things in that they could change a couple of things around the stoppages and move the ball slightly different, but most things you’d think for the two sides will stay the same.”

The Hawks started slowly in last Friday night’s match at ANZ Stadium, with the Swans kicking six of the first eight goals to lead by 24 point early in the second term before the Hawks clicked into gear.

It has been a trend for Hawthorn in the last two weeks, with North Melbourne kicking four of the first five goals in the Round 22 clash at Etihad Stadium. The Hawks also trailed the Kanagaroos by 26 points at the eight-minute mark of the second quarter.

With the pressure, intensity and low-scoring nature of finals footy, Ratten and the Hawthorn coaches and players know giving its opposition a four-goal head start won’t cut it in September.

“You don’t want to be giving teams a head start in finals and then try to get the game back because it can get away from you,” Ratten said.

“There were some things we saw in the game that the Swans so very well and we’ll have to negate that and make sure we get things on our terms and start the game in a more proactive frame of mind.”

But with the Hawks having played and beaten three quality teams in Collingwood, North Melbourne and tonight’s opponent, Sydney in the last three games has left the Hawks with a healthy confidence heading into tonight’s first final.

Ratten says the three tough matches to end the season have enabled the Hawks players and coaches to refine their game and prepare better for September.

“We’re tracking really well, the confidence in the group is up,” he said of the players and coaches.

“When you get the four points it always makes the group feel good, but I think we got some real confidence out of that.

“You want to make sure you’re challenging yourself and getting some systems right and we’ve done that throughout the year.

“We’ve sharpened ourselves up with a few things towards the back end of the season.

“The Kangaroos were in really good form, Collingwood we know about with their form and the Swans are just always tough to beat anywhere at any time so it has been a good preparation.”