Barring any last-minute dramas, Hawthorn key forward Lance Franklin is poised to make his much-anticipated comeback after six weeks out, having boarded a flight to Sydney on Friday.
The winner of the top-of-the-table clash at a sold out SCG on Saturday will be in prime position to claim the minor premiership.
Second-placed Hawthorn boast the highest scoring offence in the competition and the Swans the meanest defence and both have won ten of their last 11 games.
The Swans won their round-five clash in Launceston by 37 points after kicking 11 goals to two in the second half.
Swans backline coach John Blakey said Franklin's return wouldn't necessarily make the Hawks offensive structure any more predictable.
"I don't think so, because he hasn't played for six weeks, so they will have to manage his time, he'll be on and off the field I'd imagine," Blakey told AAP.
"They will be willing to have a different look up forward at different times.
"Cyril (Rioil) is not playing this week, but they can isolate (Jordan) Lewis deep in the goal square, they could isolate (Luke)Hodge deep in the goal square.
"If something is not working they know they can mix it up and they have got other avenues that they can go to."
The Hawks have three big inclusions in Franklin, Sam Mitchell and Josh Gibson.
Clarkson welcomed the return of Gibson, who will add more versatility to a Hawthorn defence against a Swans forward line Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson described as formidable both in the air and on the ground.
"Having someone like Gibson who can play tall and small is really valuable for us," Clarkson said.
For all the talk about Hawthorn's offence and the Swans' defence, Blakey felt the midfield battle would be pivotal.
"They have got great players in there in (Sam) Mitchell, Luke (Hodge), Jordan (Lewis) and (Brad) Sewell," Blakey said.
"I think we match up really well with (Josh) Kennedy, (Ryan) O'Keefe, (Kieren) Jack, so the midfield battle is going to be a real intriguing one to see who can gain ascendancy there, so that's certainly a significant part of the game."
