The Hawks take aim at a fourth-straight flag having endured a patchy few weeks. There were losses to Melbourne and the West Coast Eagles, a strong win over North Melbourne and a last-gasp victory over Collingwood, the latter securing the double chance. But they know what's required to succeed in September, having even overcome an interstate preliminary final last year.

This is what makes them so dangerous, for they have wily veterans Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Shaun Burgoyne and Josh Gibson who lift when the stakes are at their greatest.

Gibson, a dual Crimmins medallist, said on Tuesday the Hawks' modest recent form would not count heading into another blockbuster against the Cats.

"This is what we play for, it's the best time of the season. We've got ourselves in the top four and really looking forward to Friday night's game," he said.

"People are talking about our form but that's irrelevant. We've finished top four, playing Geelong and going out to hunt them this week.

"We've played a lot of finals footy and we know what to expect Friday night. It's going to be a tough game – two great sides going at one another.

"They're going to come pretty hard at us and we'll be going just as hard as them so we'll be coming out to hunt them."

The Hawks have been planning for ruckman McEvoy (back) and defender Stratton (pectoral muscle) to return.

"They should be fine. They're both really important pieces in the cog and it will be good to have them back," Gibson said.

One player desperate to share in the moment is emerging forward James Sicily. Handed a Rising Star nomination this year, Sicily has been a key contributor inside attacking 50, booting 29 goals and embracing the pressure moments.

"Obviously, I played only the three [senior] games last year, so it was good to play every game that I was eligible to play this year. I have slotted in well," he said.

Taken as a third-round draft selection in 2013, the Western Jets product has yet to experience life in the finals, but is well aware of what awaits.

"It's going to be pretty cut-throat, pretty ruthless. I am expecting a hard game. I am pretty excited," Sicily said.

"I watched the guys play in the finals campaigns for the past three years, so it's good to have the opportunity to, hopefully, play in a big game in a packed house.

"It definitely drives you [missing out on finals]. You are a bit envious of the boys that are playing. It was definitely a driving factor coming into the pre-season and the season proper. That's how I took it."

AFL great Wayne Carey believes Sicily, mentored this year by Jarryd Roughead, can be the "X-factor" in helping the Hawks become the first team since Collingwood (1927-30) to enjoy four-straight flags.

While there has been debate on whether the Hawks should tag Geelong stars Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield, the Cats will need to find a way to handle the Hawks' even spread of goalkickers. Jack Gunston, Cyril Rioli and Luke Breust have each contributed more than 40 goals.

"That's what makes us, I guess, difficult to play against. We don't have one guy that shoulders the workload. That makes us a bit more unpredictable," Sicily said.