Gibson has described the first quarter of the 2014 decider as the blueprint for how to execute the basic elements needed for this year's showdown against West Coast. The Hawks brought incredible pressure in the opening term against the Swans – winning the tackle count by +16 – and were electric with the ball, going at a disposal efficiency of 81 per cent as they outscored John Longmire's team five goals to two to set up one of the most lop-sided results in years.

Bone-crunching tackles by Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust and Luke Hodge, as well as chase-downs from Brad Hill and Cyril Rioli, created a lasting memory of intense pressure applied by the Hawks in that opening term.

"That's what you need in finals time," Gibson said on Thursday, before the club's final training session in front of 5000 fans.

"You hear everybody talking about how the pressure around the contest goes up in the granny so we've got to match it, if not better it," he said. "That first quarter is so hot, so we need to make sure we are at that level again."

It was not the number of tackles in the first quarter that was crucial – 23 – but more the effectiveness of them and the frenzy of the perceived pressure that had the Swans seeing brown and gold jumpers everywhere.

The comments from key figures after the match serve as a reminder, as well as a warning for what Adam Simpson's Eagles can expect at the MCG this year.

Swans coach John Longmire lamented how his team was "on the back foot from the first bounce".

"The big problem was just hardness," he said. "They were playing finals football and we weren't."

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson used the word "hunt" to perfectly describe the mindset his players had been able to muster.

"Our tackling was first rate. It was pivotal," he said in his post-match media conference. Skipper Hodge said it was "furious".

The Hawks continued the onslaught to not only win the contested ball count by +10, but also out-tackle the Swans 63-57.

But as Gibson points out, West Coast are just as capable of doing to Hawthorn what the Hawks did to Sydney 12 months ago.

Pressure on the ball carrier was a big reason why the Eagles were able to upset the Hawks in the qualifying final at Domain Stadium three weeks ago.

Hodge was quoted days after the match as feeling like "they were coming at you from all angles".

And the Hawks will expect nothing less from the Eagles again this time.

West Coast ranks No.1 for time in forward half, as well as scoring from chains that begin in that area of the ground - many from the turnovers they force from defensive pressure.

Many of the tackles that Hawthorn laid on the Swans last year which set the tone were made in their forward half and led to shots on goal.

"They're going to be just as hungry as we are," Hawks small forward Cyril Rioli told the club's website on Thursday.