The Hawks travel to Sydney to take on the Swans at the SCG before returning to Melbourne to take on the Eagles at the MCG in Round 23.
Both games are likely to be played at finals-like intensity, as both the Swans and Eagles fight to secure home finals.
It is the perfect preparation ahead of the Hawks’ 2012 finals campaign according to Hodge.
“I reckon probably harder games leading into finals,” Hodge said at the Ricoh Centre on Monday.
“The two teams we’ve got coming up, in Sydney and West Coast are probably the best two pressure teams you can get.
“I think it’s better for the players, coming into finals that you get such hot intensity around the ball.”
The 28-year-old wants to see improvement from his side in the next two weeks, despite defeating both Port Adelaide and Gold Coast by 10 goals.
Hodge says the performances in the last two matches haven’t been at the level expected by the players and coaching staff.
“Our last two games probably haven’t been up to scratch from what we expect,” he said.
“It doesn’t really matter who we’ve got in or out, we expect to play a certain way, and we haven’t done that lately.”
It will be the second meeting between Hawthorn and Sydney this season, with the Swans taking the points in the Round 5 clash by 37 points.
In that match, the Hawks were overrun by a ruthless Sydney team in a second-half blitz.
The Hawks won’t be focused on that match, however, with Hodge revealing the Club will analyse Sydney’s past four or five matches instead.
“A lot has changed since Round 5,” he said.
“We’ve changed a lot of things and Sydney have changed a lot of things.
“We’ll probably look more at their last four or five games, rather than going back to the Round 5 contest.”
Spearhead Lance Franklin is expected to finally make his return for the Hawks against the Swans, after his return was delayed by illness on Sunday.
Hodge says Franklin can’t wait to once again pull on the brown and gold.
“If you ask Buddy, he’s been ready to go for the last four or five weeks, his body just hasn’t let him go,” Hodge said.
“I spoke to Buddy today and he can’t wait to train tomorrow and get ready to go to Sydney.
“Anyone who knows Buddy, he just can’t wait to get back out there.
“He’s been best on track the last three weeks and he’s looking forward to Sydney.”
Kate Salemme is a member of Hawthorn Football Club’s Digital media team reporting exclusively for hawthornfc.com.au from the Ricoh Centre.
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