INJURED Sydney Swan Ben McGlynn will need to get through Thursday's training session unscathed and prove beyond doubt he's recovered from his hamstring injury to have any chance of playing the Grand Final.
Sixteen days after he injured his hamstring in the qualifying final against Adelaide, McGlynn has returned to running and will be expected to step up his training program on Tuesday.
Ted Richards (ankle) is only expected to do some light training, but there will be plenty of eyes on McGlynn, who has played 22 games this season and is an important part of coach John Longmire's set-up.
But the fact it is a Grand Final doesn't mean the club will cut corners.
"He ran yesterday, he'll step it up again tomorrow, and the plan is for him to train fully on Thursday if everything goes well," Longmire said.
"Whether it's round 10 or playing in a Grand Final, we've got that process to follow.
"That's what he needs to follow and we'll wait and see how he goes through the week."
Asked if McGlynn would be picked if he proves his fitness, Longmire said: "We'll wait and see how the week progresses.
"We have to make sure that he's absolutely right
"We have to take the Grand Final equation out of it to some degree. If he ticks the right boxes, it gives him a chance to play.
"We have to be very critical about it and that's what we'll do."
The Swans know they can't afford any slip-ups against the Hawks.
Longmire's side kept Collingwood at bay throughout their preliminary final last Friday night, but some wayward shots at goal meant it should have been far more comfortable than a 26-point victory.
A return of 13.18 could have proved costly, a trait the Hawks also endured against Adelaide, kicking 13.19 in their five-point victory.
The Swans and Hawks split their two meetings this year and Longmire knows what it will take to win.
"You have to do a lot of things right," he said.
"You have to make sure your pressure is absolutely elite for four quarters.
"You can't have any lapses in concentration and you have to take your chances when you get them.
"They're a quality team and they're going to take some beating this weekend."
Rhyce Shaw has been a key member of the AFL's best defensive unit this season and is backing the Swans' backline to keep the dangerous Hawthorn forwards in check.
"Definitely. We have to," he said.
"We pride ourselves on our defence and we're hoping that can stand up this week.
"We know if it doesn't we're going to get blown out of the water.
"We have to do what we've been doing all year and if we do that, we'll be holding ourselves in good stead."
James Dampney is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD
