Hawthorn's finals chances are hanging by a thread after a remarkable turnaround from a 0-5 start to the season, with coach Sam Mitchell saying the club needs to be flawless in their remaining three games of the year.
In what will be an early finals taste tester for fans, the Hawks will face Carlton at the MCG on Sunday, with both clubs vying for a spot in the top eight.
With plenty on the line, a loss could spell season over for Mitchell's men whose storied run will ultimately fall short of September action, something the club has been starved of since 2018.
However, the young and brash Hawks are well aware of the challenge that lies ahead, with their coach saying the club has become used to "playing for our season".
"We've been playing for our season for five or six weeks really and we thought we maybe get lucky and have one loss up our sleeve," Mitchell said.
"And we've had (GWS loss) that now, so there's no margin for error.
"I think the boys know what's on the line this week.
"The players are well aware of what the season looks like and what the ladder looks like... fantastic opportunity for us in front of a big crowd against a quality team that are in a similar position to us."
Sunday's opportunity comes as Hawthorn, led by 2023 Peter Crimmins medallist Will Day, have marched back into relevancy, winning 10 of their past 13 clashes, which has included a one-point loss to Port Adelaide (Round 10) and a two-point loss to the Giants (Round 21).
Despite ranking as the second youngest club in the competition - according toย Draftguru - Mitchell lauded the players' consistency in showing up week after week.
"I've been proud of the players' consistency," Mitchell said.
"We've had bad moments but not a bad game for a while, other than the Geelong one down there that we didn't handle the conditions that well.
"But over the past couple of months, the players have been able to produce close to their best footy and that's all you can ask for.
"We've got a young side who is loving the challenge and the excitement of playing every week and I feel like we've been able to bring the fans along the journey."
Sunday's Blues proposition does have Mitchell on alert, admitting the club's "potency" up forward, steered by twin-towers Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.
Carlton's midfield prowess and defensive strength is also something Hawthorn will consider when discussing team selection, which has seen Harry MorrisonFinn MaginnessCam Mackenzie and Jai Serong come into the extended 26-man squad.
"It will be a bit of our system versus theirs and who can get it done," Mitchell said.
"They're certainly a challenging team to match up on. They've obviously got the two big boys in the forward line. Weitering. Saad. McGovern. Newman can all dominate from behind the ball.
"Then their midfield and even someone like (Blake) Acres is a bit underrated across the competition but you look at the role he plays and how important he is for them."
Maginness has generally been used in a tagging role across his 42-game career, with a matchup against Acres well and truly on the cards, whilst Sam Walsh and Nic Newman are likely to receive extra attention.
Hawthorn will announce their final 23-man team at 5:00pm on Friday.
