The two-time All Australian defender has reached preliminary finals before with his former club the Western Bulldogs - three in a row from 2008-10 - but never in this sort of fashion.
The Dogs entered all three on the back of cut-throat semi-finals, after losing qualifying finals, and failed to reach a Grand Final.
The Hawks, by contrast, have earned a fortnight's break and a home preliminary final after thrashing the Sydney Swans 15.15 (105) to 7.9 (51) in Friday night's MCG qualifying final.
Lake is confident his first Grand Final appearance is at last within reach.
The 31-year-old - who kicked a goal early in the second half on Friday night to help spark Hawthorn's push to victory - said the Hawks were much better-placed than last season, when they just scraped through their preliminary final against Adelaide.
"They really had to push to the line last year to get that top two position," Lake told AAP.
"I remember the same with the Doggies days, we did the same thing.
"You get into the finals and guys are very sore and have had too much game time.
"So far we've had the perfect prep.
"Cyril Rioli missed this week, so now another week off for those guys is so vital in the scheme of things and puts you (well placed) for that premiership.
"If you can get that week off during the finals it's unbelievable."
With Rioli and Lance Franklin due back for the preliminary final, Lake acknowledges Hawthorn couldn't be much better positioned.
"Everything's looking good," he said.
"Nothing's perfect. We just have to look around now at the other games and see who possibly could be up for grabs in our next game.
"It gives guys the opportunity to rest.
"No doubt there will be a little bit of hard training in the first week but then it's just about getting our body right and looking forward to that prelim final."
