ST KILDA assistant coach Anthony Rock says the club will continue to focus on the basics as it attempts to upset third-placed Hawthorn at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.

Speaking to saintscentral.com.au Rock noted that the team's effort over the past three games - each of which has ended in a Saints victory - had improved, and the coaching staff would be concentrating on replicating that against the in-form Hawks.

"Over the last three or so weeks, we've really got an effort", said Rock. "Our ball use has been a lot better, and the way we've ran and carried the ball and shared it around.

"Our tackling efforts have been really good as well - really all the basics you hear time and time again: you tackle well, you win the ball and really focus on the contested ball."

Rock also highlighted the selection pressure being exerted by several players in the VFL who were pressing for inclusion against Hawthorn.

"We're in a really good spot at the moment. Michael Gardiner returned from injury and was pretty solid in the ruck. I'm sure he will be in contention this week, along with Aaron Fiora who has been pushing his name back up. His performances have been pretty good over the last three or four weeks.

"Jarryn Geary had 40 possessions in the VFL and that's pleasing from a coaching perspective because he's a young, developing player."

Leigh Fisher and Shane Birss were other players Rock said had been consistently good and were close to senior selection.

As for the challenge presented by Hawthorn on the weekend, Rock said several Saints were capable of curbing the influence of the Hawk big guns, including Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Lance 'Buddy' Franklin.

"We've done reasonably well in the past particularly on Hodge," he said.

"Sean Dempster really did a good job last week on (Nick) Stevens; Andrew McQualter was good on (Marc) Murphy.

"I'm not too sure [who will pick up Hodge or Mitchell] but ... they're dangerous players and I'm sure they'll be a focus in our preparation.”

Rock said creating pressure in the midfield and in the forward 50 was vital if the Saints were to limit the scoring chances of Franklin, a player he described as "pretty hard to stop".