SYDNEY Swans co-captain Adam Goodes has identified the ruck duo of Shane Mumford and Mike Pyke as an area his side can get on top of Hawthorn in Saturday's Grand Final.

Mumford's talents are well known and he is close to peak form after an injury-interrupted year, while Canadian Pyke has played 17 straight games since round eight and emerged as a genuine second ruck option.

David Hale is the Hawks' only true ruckman, with Jarryd Roughead supporting him in a back-up role, particularly in the forward line.

In a game that could come down to a handful of key moments, Goodes is hopeful his side might have an edge in the ruck.

"The whole ruck thing with the sub rule has been a bit of a headache the last couple of years and how to deal with it," Goodes said on Tuesday.

"I think what Mike Pyke's been able to do this year has been come in and play a really crucial role.

"If you get a second ruckman who can come in and take a mark and kick a few goals here and there, it's just a huge bonus.

"That advantage West Coast have with Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui, two really quality ruckman, can help against those teams that don't have two quality ruckmen.

"Obviously Hawthorn have got Roughead as the back-up ruckman, and if we can get a bit of dominance when that happens with Mike Pyke, that's a big plus for us."

Pyke, who played in a Rugby World Cup with Canada before heading to Sydney to try his hand at Australian football in 2008, said Saturday would be the crowning achievement of his unique sporting career.

"It's the final of a major sporting league," Pyke said.

"Whether it's the Stanley Cup or the Super Bowl, it doesn't matter what it is, when you're an athlete and you get an opportunity to play in a game like this, it's the pinnacle of your career.

"It's an opportunity to win a top-level championship in a great sporting country and great sporting code."

Goodes can barely hide his excitement at being back in a Grand Final, six years after the Swans lost to West Coast by one point in the second of two classic deciders.

Victorious in 2005, Goodes' utter devastation at the conclusion of the return bout is a lasting memory, and he had a quick response when asked if he was comfortable being a one-time premiership player.

"No, definitely not, and the longer your career goes, the more emphasis you have on getting back to this week and having another opportunity at winning another Grand Final," he said.

"We've definitely earned our spot this year and worked extremely hard over the last two years under John Longmire to get here.

"I’m just really excited to have another crack at it."

James Dampney is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD