Hawthorn.

They're the ladder-leaders, they've been one of Sydney's fiercest rivals in recent times and are the competition's benchmark.

Sides have come to learn that anything even marginally lower than their best just isn't good enough against the reigning premier so that's the type of thinking the Sydney Swans will take into Thursday night's blockbuster at the SCG.

Hawthorn boast quality all over the ground from a stout defence, classy forward line and equally good midfield. They're the most accurate side in the competition, converting 55 per cent of the time.

And they do the little things well like one of football's favourite saying 'the one percenters' in which they rank second in the league for.

But it's the midfield battle in which coach Alastair Clarkson will pay particular attention to, going by what was said before the Hawks boarded the flight bound for Sydney.

"The thing with Sydney, that's remained the same for a long period of time, is their significant strength through the middle of the ground," he said.

"If we can compete on equal terms in that area of the ground then we give ourselves a chance. If they're dominant, which they have been on a frequent basis, and against Geelong, we've got a big challenge on our hands.

"Hawthorn are coming off six consecutive wins, its Round 9 loss to Sydney triggering a strong vein of form. They've only lost to the Swans, Cats (Round 1) and Giants (6) this season and have few injury concerns.

Liam Shiels, the Hawks' number one tackler, has been the main talking point this week after being ruled out for the next month with a hamstring injury.

It opens the door for another midfielder possibly Brendan Whitecross and Jono O'Rourke who have impressed for the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL in recent weeks and who reportedly made the trip.

Whitecross, who's had an injury-riddled time of it in his eight-season career, has achieved consistency at the lower level to warrant a recall.

O'Rourke is no stranger to the Sydney Swans, having played in Sydney Derby III in the first of his nine games for the Giants. He moved across to the Hawks during the 2015 off-season and has managed five games since including three this season.