"SATURDAY night is going to be huge." 

It's good to see Sydney Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy agreeing with what the whole footy world already knows: his side's clash with Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium will be more than just another game.

It's the second meeting between last year's grand finalists this season after the Swans beat the Hawks by four points in a classic at the MCG in round eight.

With the Swans sitting third on the ladder and Hawthorn one spot below them, Saturday's round 16 encounter has not only top-four implications for later in the year, but also could potentially shape the top two.

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"With Hawthorn coming off a big win as well, it's going to be big," Kennedy said after the Swans arrived back from Brisbane on Monday.

"It's always a physical game against Hawthorn, it's pretty well publicised the way they go about it, which is a really aggressive and ferocious attack on the footy and we want to match them in that area."

While the Hawks' brand of 'unsociable' footy has been a hallmark of their success in recent years, Kennedy says Alastair Clarkson's men are far more than just a physical threat.

In veterans Sam Mitchell, Shaun Burgoyne and Luke Hodge, along with Matt Suckling, the reigning premiers have some of the best kicks in the game.

"Hawthorn are a very skilful side and they can really control the ball and the momentum by using their skills, so we have to make sure our defensive pressure is right up, and that our concentration is at a high level for the most part of the game," Kennedy said.

"It's just that pressure around the ball, trying to shut down their kicking game. If they get that going they can be pretty hard to stop, [like] any team is."

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The Swans have plenty of stars of their own, with Kennedy himself in a rich vein of form after a game-high 41-possession effort in his team's win over the Lions at the Gabba. 

After the Swans' leaders received plenty of criticism from both inside and outside the club after their round 13 loss to Richmond at the SCG, Kennedy says he made it a personal goal to lift his output, and can't wait to test himself against the Hawks.

"The last couple of weeks have been really good, I've had some good games and some good quarters, probably similar to the team," Kennedy said.

"I think I've hit my straps at different stages but to that consistent level, I want to continue that.

"It's just a week-to-week thing. Leading into the Port Adelaide game, I wasn't where I wanted to be, but the last two weeks have been pretty solid so I just want to try and keep that form rolling."

"They've got a great midfield and have a lot of depth that can go through there, and we like to think we do as well.

"I think it'll be a great game within a game I think."