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A BRUTAL forecast for Hawthorn's Friday night date with Sydney might deter the punters, but Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson says those showing up to the MCG will witness a classic.
Rain and single-digit temperatures are likely to make the round eight opener the first true winter rumble of the season.
As much as 25mm of rain is forecast to soak Melbourne on Friday, accompanied by winds of up to 50 km/h.
It’s these wintery conditions that could play into the Swans’ hands.
In two wins against the Swans last season, the Hawks had 123 (round 10, SCG) and 127 (round 19, MCG) marks; essentially playing a game of keepings off against the AFL’s number-one ranked clearance team.
North Melbourne had 101 marks in its shock win against John Longmire’s men at the SCG last round.
Clarkson, never one to shy away from a confrontation, says bring it on no matter what the weather.
"They're a tough, contested-ball side, have been for as long as I can remember ... those conditions are going to bring the best out in both sides," he said.
The Hawks are purring at 5-2, while the Swans have defied ordinary home form to be 4-3.
There's one form-line within that record that concerns Clarkson the most: the record away from home.
"They're travelling pretty well interstate at three and zip. We don't want to make that four and zip," he said.
"Like (matches against Geelong), so many of the games are really hard-fought encounters and pretty evenly spread in terms of win and loss and never much more than two or three goals separating the sides.
"Despite the forecast of rain we're hoping our supporters will rug up like they do in England and still get to the game and bring their colours."
The most recent three encounters between these teams have been decided by a goal or less, suggesting every advantage will be crucial.
A major factor in how it might turn out is ex-Hawk Lance Franklin, who won two flags with Clarkson before departing to Sydney.
The superstar forward, who Clarkson said required specific team planning, has missed two weeks with a foot injury and is in the balance for Friday night.
"We've got contingencies in place. We prepare a side for when he's in it and when he's out of it," Clarkson said.
"We'll just wait and see with what they do."
Hawthorn can name an unchanged side from their round seven defeat of Essendon, or return late withdrawals Will Langford and Ricky Henderson to their team.
Clarkson suggested Langford, if his injured back holds up, might be seen in the VFL while Henderson had overcome illness and should be named.
"He had a gastro bug. We got him on the Vegemite and toast on Sunday and Monday and he's been able to get some decent grub into him over the last couple of days and he's good as gold," Clarkson said.
