HAWTHORN defender Grant Birchall knows the Hawks will need to be at their best to defeat a North Melbourne side he says will be keen to knock off another top side to end the season.

The Kangaroos have already defeated Geelong and Essendon in the last three weeks, underlining the quality of team currently sitting outside the top eight.

Although they sit 10^th on the AFL ladder and out of the contention for a finals spot unless the AFL Commission hands down the loss of premiership points to the Bombers as a result of the supplements saga, the Kangaroos are a dangerous prospect for the Hawks.

No doubt, Birchall says, Coach Brad Scott and his players will be keen to knock off a third top eight side in a month.

“I’m sure their coaches and leaders will want to finish off the season on a good note and build into next season,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“No doubt that’ll be a focus for them and it’ll be a tough game.”

When the two teams last met in Round 5 this season, the Hawks were challenged by a rampant and unrelenting North Melbourne team who, if it weren’t for its inaccuracy in front of goals, could have defeated Hawthorn.

Instead, the Hawks were victorious on that day by three points and learnt valuable lessons about the Kangaroos that will prove beneficial on Saturday at Etihad Stadium.

“They’ve been competitive in pretty much every game they’ve played and in a few of those games, even against us earlier in the season, they probably should have won,” Birchall told hawthornfc.com.au

“They got us with their spread and their ball movement, which really troubled us that day.

“We were unable to control the footy and that really hurt us. We were probably a bit lucky in that they missed a few opportunities in front of goal and we got away with the win.”

On that Sunday in Round 5, Kangaroos small forward Lindsay Thomas stole the show by playing the ultimate small forwards game – a five-goal haul from just six kicks. In fact, he scored with his of his possessions, finishing the game with 5.1 from six touches.

He also laid three tackles.

Birchall believes the Kangaroos dynamo, who is likely headed for All Australian honours is one the best small forwards in the game and will need to be stopped on Saturday.

“He is very damaging around goals and certainly knows where they are so we’ll have to nullify his influence,” he said.

“Thomas is arguably the best small forward in the game at the moment; he’s another guy who’s had a fantastic season for them,” he said.

Hawthorn’s own dynamic small forward believes has admired Thomas’ game.

“He’s been criticised about his goal kicking but he’s improved that and has been a star all year,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“He’ll probably be up there for All Australian selection so it’s going to be a tough day for the boys in defence, hopefully they can keep him quiet.”