The Hawks came agonisingly close in Round 2 this season, but squandered an 18-point lead at three-quarter time to fall short by two points.
Bolton says that the Club is just looking forward to testing itself against the reigning premiers for the second time this season.
“We’ve had a real narrow focus, just going game by game and playing in the moment,” Bolton said.
“We see this game as an opportunity just to refine our system and not worry about the past.
“It’s going to be a really big test against good opposition.”
The Round 2 contest between Hawthorn and Geelong saw 153 tackles laid, 83 by the Hawks and 70 by the Cats.
The Hawthorn Assistant expects nothing less on Friday night, simply because both teams play a tough, hard and contested brand of football.
“In these games, both teams are going to be very aggressive at the man and the ball,” he said.
“There’ll be some strong tackles and hard hits, that’s just the nature of the two teams.
“They’re pretty competitive and hard at it sort of teams.
“I think it’ll be a pretty physical battle.”
The Hawks are aiming for their ninth straight win after defeating top eight sides Collingwood and Essendon in the last two weeks.
The mentality of the Hawks is though, to make sure they focus on each week and each opponent as they come, treating each match as an opportunity to improve and test themselves.
“We’ve had a real narrow focus, just going game by game and playing in the moment,” Bolton said.
“We see this game as an opportunity just to refine our system and not worry about the past.
“It’s going to be a really big test against good opposition.”
A feature of the Hawthorn game over the last two months has been the even contributions of all players across trhe board, particularly in the absence of star players Lance Franklin and Luke Hodge.
Bolton says the coaches are just looking for all players to play their role.
“We’ve had a real narrow focus, just going game by game and playing in the moment,” he said.
“If everyone can reach the level that we want and play their role for the team, then we get the result.
“We’re looking for a balanced contribution across the whole squad, not just a few to go and do their bit.
“Every week, that doesn’t change.”
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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