HAVING two of the AFL's best Aboriginal footballers playing in the same game adds more "intrigue" to the Hawthorn-Sydney Indigenous Round clash, Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson says.
Two of the powerhouse clubs of the modern era won just one match between them in the first six rounds before each rebounded to an extent, although the Swans look to be in a stronger position.
Hawthorn is coming off an 18-point loss to Collingwood after leading by 43 points in the first half, while Sydney has claimed three games in a row since an 0-6 start.
The Hawks are second-last, also with a 3-6 record, but could be within one victory of the top eight if they defeat the Swans for the fourth straight time at the SCG on Friday night.
They have beaten Sydney seven times out of their past 10 meetings.
"It's a close season and who knows what's going to happen in the second half of the season," Clarkson told reporters.
"Both these sides are proud clubs (and) they've got a tremendous rivalry, having played each other in big games in finals over the last five or six years.
"So irrespective of ladder position, they're always keenly contested affairs."
Clarkson praised the League's role in highlighting some of the issues indigenous Australians face.
"We have two of the more decorated Aboriginal footballers in their respective sides, in Shaun Burgoyne and Lance Franklin, playing in this game, so that just adds a little more intrigue to it," he said.
"It's a really good cause. I heard 'Longy' (Michael Long) speak about it; the AFL being the platform for making people aware of these issues around indigenous Australia.
"It's a fantastic thing the code's been able to do over a long period of time, so there are lots of things riding on this game, but obviously the one both sides are keen on the most is the victory."
Hawthorn is set to regain young key-position players Tim O'Brien (hip soreness) and Kaiden Brand (illness) after they were late withdrawals against the Magpies.
There has been constant speculation about the form of Hawks veterans such as Josh Gibson – a potential option for Franklin – but Clarkson said his side would always retain a tinge of experience.
"If you look at our side, we have a fair few younger ones playing, so we just have to make sure the balance is right," he said.
"We need our experienced players playing some good footy, but with bringing youth into the side, you need to make sure the experience is there.
"Irrespective of whether they're playing well or not, you just need their guidance and experience there to help with some of the younger players."
Clarkson did not foreshadow any changes to his midfield rotation, after being critical of the support around 50-disposal ex-Swan Tom Mitchell last week.
"We try to make sure we're pretty flexible through that part of the ground, but we need to be because Sydney's got a deep midfield themselves," he said.
"We need to have good energy through that part of the ground, because that's where the game will be won or lost on Friday night."
Clarkson said Jaeger O'Meara was progressing well from his latest knee setback, but ruled out playing the former Gold Coast midfielder before the club's round 13 bye in mid-June.
