Fallen giants ready to rise to the occasion

HAWTHORN and Sydney’s storied rivalry remains potent motivation despite both sides slipping down the ladder, Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson says.

Tonight’s clash at the SCG coincides with a rare lean patch for two of the competition’s modern-day powerhouses.

After sitting at the top of the perch for the better part of a decade and splitting the honours in the 2012 and 2014 grand finals, the Hawks and Swans have struggled badly at stages this season.

Only the youthful Brisbane, which came into the season with low expectations, sit below Hawthorn on the ladder with Clarkson’s men handed heavy defeats by Gold Coast, Geelong and St Kilda.

Sydney meanwhile suffered six consecutive losses to start the year and sit 12th, above the Hawks only on percentage.

But Clarkson is expecting nothing short of a fierce contest, particularly given it falls during the annual Sir Doug Nicholls indigenous round.

“Both these sides are proud clubs,” he said yesterday.

“They’ve got a tremendous rivalry, having played each other in big games and finals over the last five or six years, so irrespective of ladder positions, they’re always keenly-contested affairs.

“It’s indigenous round — we’ve got two of the more decorated Aboriginal footballers on the respective sides in (Hawthorn’s) Shaun Burgoyne and (Sydney’s) Lance Franklin playing in this game, so that just adds a little bit more intrigue to it.

“There’s lots of things riding on this game but obviously the one that both sides are keen on the most is the victory.”

Hawthorn boasts a strong record against Sydney, having won seven of its past 10 meetings, as well as their past three clashes at the SCG.

But Sydney has shown signs of its best form in recent weeks, with last week’s belting of St Kilda its third straight win.

Former Swans midfielder Tom Mitchell racked up a massive 50 disposals against Collingwood last week and Clarkson said he would need plenty of help against the likes of Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker.

“We’ve always tried to bat pretty deep through the middle of the ground and give a lot of guys exposure, including last week,” Clarkson said.

“We try to make sure we’re pretty flexible through that part of the ground but we need to be because Sydney have got a deep midfield themselves.”