HAWTHORN defender Grant Birchall has said Buddy Franklin and Sam Mitchell’s decisions to accept AFL reprimands for rough conduct and in turn be ruled out for Brownlow honours in order to avoid suspension is earning respect among the Waverly playing group.

“Personally it would be a bit disappointing for both Sam and Buddy but in saying that the team comes first and we really need them out there, particularly with some of the key injuries that we’ve had this year.

“We’re just happy that he (Buddy) can play this week. It’s great to see those guys making those team decisions. Obviously Sam, being captain, has to set a really good example for all the other players.”

Now that his two teammates have been ruled out, Birchall believes that when it comes to Brownlow betting, Scotty Thompson is where the smart money is going.

“Scotty Thompson from Adelaide has polled pretty well in the past and I think he’s having an exceptional year so he’s a good one to get on.”

But he doesn’t doubt that his skipper could have been in line for Brownlow honours, were he not ruled out.

“Sam polls really well. He’s under the umpire’s nose I guess. He could have been every chance.”

The Hawks take on North Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday. Birchall admitted that his side is expecting the game to have the “spice” that has now become very much part of clashes between the two sides.

“If you look at our last few games there’s always that added bit of spice… there’s always been a bit of a rivalry going with the Kangaroos, going back to the early ’70s.”

And despite the last few encounters yielding several suspensions for the Hawks, Birchall insists that coach Alastair Clarkson has not asked his charges to go in with a more measured approach at the weekend.

“We haven’t talked about that stuff at all. We’ll just be focused playing how we want to play and putting our head over the ball.”