The Sydney Swans must take on Hawthorn at their own physical game to have any chance of winning at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night, according to co-captain Kieren Jack.

Round eight's encounter between the two great rivals was a classic battle which the Swans won by just four points, and Jack says we can expect this week's clash to be no different. 

"They've come out and said they want to play on the edge and that's fine, but we need to match that," Jack said on Thursday.

"They're a brutally good side and if you're not prepared to match them you'll get found out.

"We need to bring a really fierce brand of footy, with high pressure, and if we do that we'll be a big chance." 

Jack says that while the Swans can't afford to take too much from their win earlier this season, the result showed them the way they must attack the footy and the Hawks' players this week.

The 2012 premiership midfielder believed the Hawthorn side was now in better form and last week's 12-goal victory over ladder leaders Fremantle showed just how dangerous Alastair Clarkson's could be.

"There was a lot of pressure and build up to that game, so to beat them was pleasing, and a confidence builder, but it's got very little say of what goes on this week," Jack said.

"It was a pressure game, in finals-like games structure goes out the window to an extent and it relies on your pressure and intensity around the ball.

"Back in round eight we were really able to bring a high level (of pressure) especially in the first quarter; we were really good.

"We're getting our mindset around bringing a level that can match Hawthorn - it's a huge challenge for our group."

Jack, who started his 177-game career as a run-with player through the midfield, has enjoyed more freedom playing on a wing and high half-forward in 2015.

While he stopped short of putting his hand up to put a clamp on Hawthorn star Sam Mitchell, the 28-year-old said the Swans could afford to let the Hawks' champ do his own thing on Saturday night.

"I don't think you can let him (run free). I don't think any team wants to let him, but he keeps finding a way to find the footy," Jack said.

"He's a really good player, he's a smart player who has been around the game for a long time, so we'll do our homework on him like a lot of their other players."