Past premiership players are easily within reach, but Hawthorn will enter today’s AFL grand final against Geelong determined to do things their own way.

Hawks skipper Sam Mitchell today said he and his teammates had resisted the temptation to call on the myriad stars who won the club five flags between 1983-91.

“We don’t use them every other week, we try to keep the routine the same,” he said.

“It’s been a long time since our last premiership and the game was very different then.

“We’re going to play our own game and stick to our own structures and we’re not going to be doing anything that’s not the current Hawthorn way.”

The Hawks’ determination to forge their own chapter of history at the MCG is fitting given the players in tomorrow’s side have virtually grown up together.

Mitchell today pointed to the VFL premiership win of 2001, when he, Michael Osborne, Robert Campbell, Mark Williams and Chance Bateman all played for the Box Hill Hawks, as the genesis of this current Hawthorn side.

Star utility Luke Hodge was drafted in the same year, Trent Croad returned home in 2003 after a stint at Fremantle, and then coach Alastair Clarkson made good his first draft as coach by recruiting Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Jordan Lewis in 2004.

“Clarko and the other coaches and the list management staff have done a great job building our squad,” Mitchell said.

” … They’ve created a list that’s put us in a position where we’ve been in the top two sides in the competition for the year and we’ve given ourselves every opportunity (to win tomorrow).”

Throughout his tenure Clarkson has put an emphasis on his side playing finals-type football, and was expecting his players to show their toughness by matching Geelong in winning contested possessions.

“We’ve demonstrated over the two finals that we’ve played, against the Bulldogs and St Kilda that our hardness at the ball and ability to win the ball has been first-class,” Clarkson said.

“If we can do that tomorrow then we give ourselves some sort of chance.”

The difference between the sides is likely to emerge during the battle through the middle of the ground, where the Cats’ favouritism is reflected in their All-Australian midfielders Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel and Joel Corey.

Mitchell said Geelong’s onball brigade was still the league’s benchmark, but was confident Hawthorn’s had closed the gap.

“Our midfield is formidable in its own right,” he said.

“We’ve got fairly good depth now … this year we proved that in the middle part of the year when perhaps we had a few more injuries than we would have liked but we were still able to win games of footy.”

Hawthorn penpix for Saturday’s AFL grand final against Geelong at the MCG.

BACKS:

STEPHEN GILHAM. Age: 24. No: 27. Games: 52. Goals: 2. Finals: 3.

Never established himself in three years with Port Adelaide, but has proven a handy key defender for the Hawks, playing every game last year and all but one this season. His consistency has been important, given the club’s dearth of quality key backmen, besides Croad, is seen as their biggest concern.

TRENT CROAD. Age: 28. No: 24. Games: 221. Goals: 189. Finals: 9.

The Hawks’ No.1 key defender and expected to have the job on Geelong spearhead Cam Mooney. Strongly built, with a good leap and solid overhead mark. Regularly does the job against opposition power forwards. Suffered a foot injury in the qualifying final, but looked untroubled in the preliminary final.

BRENT GUERRA. Age: 26. No: 18. Games: 155. Goals: 89. Finals: 13.

Former Port Adelaide and St Kilda player who has thrived in his role as a defensive sweeper for the Hawks, with good decision-making and raking left-foot kicks. Also enjoys dishing out a bone-rattling bump when the opportunity presents.

HALF BACKS:

RICK LADSON. Age: 24. No: 4. Games: 98. Goals: 36. Finals: 4.

Solid running player who knows how to find space and uses the ball well on his left foot. Regularly racks up disposals, but has had a quiet finals series so far, with a total of just 22 touches in the Hawks’ two games. Hurt his shoulder in the qualifying final win over the Western Bulldogs, but played against St Kilda.

LUKE HODGE. Age: 24. No: 15. Games: 131. Goals: 90. Finals: 4.

A natural leader, can play anywhere on the field, but has carved out a role as the Hawks’ defensive “quarterback”. Capitalises on his renowned courage, ability to read the play, cool decision-making and powerful left foot. Will enter the grand final under an injury cloud, having copped a heavy knock to the ribs last weekend, but it will not stop him putting himself in harm’s way.

GRANT BIRCHALL. Age: 20. No: 14. Games: 64. Goals: 7. Finals: 4.

With strong endurance and a precise kick, the Hawks love to have the ball in his hands running out of defence and he rarely racks up fewer than 20 possessions. Most valuable as an offensive rebounder, but big enough to handle a tall defensive role as well.

MIDFIELD:

CHANCE BATEMAN. Age: 27. No: 10. Games: 116. Goals: 38. Finals: 4.

Tough midfielder with great pace, endurance and a very good kick. Capable of performing a shut-down role on an opposition running player. Stands out on the field with his trademark dreadlocks.

SAM MITCHELL. 25. No: 5. Games: 132. Goals: 21. Finals: 4.

Other Hawks are more brilliant, but none more important than the skipper. Far and away the club’s most prolific centre clearance winner, Has picked up 30-plus possessions in each of the Hawks’ previous two finals, but will likely have to deal with Geelong super-tagger Cameron Ling on Saturday.

JORDAN LEWIS. Age: 22. No: 3. Games: 82. Goals: 27. Finals: 4.

One of the Hawks’ genuine hard men, a solidly built midfielder who will not back down from a stoush. Throws himself into the packs with abandon to set play up for teammates but is also a fine kick himself.

HALF FORWARDS:

MICHAEL OSBORNE. Age: 26. No: 7. Games: 98. Goals: 52. Finals: 4.

Aggressive small forward whose biggest attribute is fierce attack on the ball and opponents. Can play a defensive role, but can also take a high mark and contribute goals. Kicked four in the qualifying final.

LANCE FRANKLIN. Age: 21. No: 23. Games: 80. Goals: 236. Finals: 4.

The first AFL player to kick 100 goals in a home and away season in a decade, “Buddy” is the one man capable of singlehandedly turning the game on its head. His combination of height, pace, athleticism and sheer brilliance makes him a nightmare match-up for any defender when on song. Has shown a liking for the big game spotlight, so expect something special in his first grand final. The one query is over his erratic goal-kicking, and if he sprays them on Saturday it could skittle Hawthorn’s chances.

CYRIL RIOLI. Age: 19. No: 33. Games: 24. Goals: 22. Finals: 2.

In his first season, the 19-year-old will be the grand final’s youngest player. But his pedigree – as the nephew of two Norm Smith Medal winners Maurice Rioli and Michael Long – indicates he should know how to handle the big day. Is fifth on the Hawks’ goal kicking list this season, but his closing speed and tackling ability is the key feature of his game, making opposition defenders panic.

FORWARDS:

MARK WILLIAMS. Age: 25. No: 6. Games: 97. Goals: 223. Finals: 2.

The quick sharpshooter defied his small stature to be the Hawks’ main forward target and leading goal kicker in 2005 and 2006, before sitting out most of last season with a knee injury. The emergence of Franklin and Roughead since means he has reverted to a more traditional small forward’s role, but still takes his fair share of marks and is capable of a freakish goal.

JARRYD ROUGHEAD. Age: 21. No: 2. Games: 82. Goals: 131. Finals: 4.

Tall, a reliably strong mark and long kick, Roughead will make the Cats pay if they focus too much attention on Franklin. Is destined to spend his career in Franklin’s shadow, but has shown with 66 goals this season, including four in the preliminary final rout of St Kilda when Franklin had a rare down match, that he is much more than just Buddy’s sidekick.

CAMPBELL BROWN. Age: 25. No: 30. Games: 120. Goals: 51. Finals: 4.

Hard-as-nails undersized key defender who has been moved forward to great effect in recent months. One of the league’s most combative and courageous players. Move forward has given the Hawks’ attack an alternative marking target, as well as added aggression and tackling ferocity.

FOLLOWERS:

ROBERT CAMPBELL. Age: 26. No: 39. Games: 101. Goals: 24. Finals: 4.

Strongly built ruckman whose hit-out work will be crucial to the midfield battles. Loves to dish out a heavy bump. Solid marking player who can also win the ball at ground level and can slot into a key defensive position if needed.

BRAD SEWELL. Age: 24. No: 12. Games: 84. Goals: 12. Finals: 4.

The Hawks’ reigning best and fairest. Established himself as a tagger and still performs that role well, but is also a fine ball-winner in his own right. Second only to Mitchell in winning the ball out of the centre and dishing out handballs. Likes using his strong body to test opponents physically.

SHANE CRAWFORD. Age: 34. No: 9. Games: 304. Goals: 224. Finals: 11.

The Hawks’ oldest player and a motivating factor as they chase their first premiership since 1991. Hawthorn would love to win this for him. Rare for a 300-plus game player, this will be his first grand final. A tireless runner and a skilful kick, with goal-kicking capability and vital experience and poise in young team.

INTERCHANGE:

STUART DEW. Age: 29. No: 31. Games: 194. Goals: 250. Finals: 16.

The surprise story of the season, the former Port Adelaide premiership player was drafted by the Hawks despite ballooning in weight during a year out of the game. A prodigious left-foot kick with an ability to use his bulk to clear a path for team-mates. The Hawks have drawn heavily on his knowledge as their sole player with grand final experience.

XAVIER ELLIS. Age: 20. No: 8. Games: 35. Goals: 5. Finals: 1.

The 20-year-old was the No.3 pick in the 2005 national draft. After playing 13 games in his debut season last year, played 21 of 22 home and away games this year. Left out for the qualifying final, but recalled for the preliminary final. A handy running player who can play midfield or defence.

BRENT RENOUF. Age: 20. No: 34. Games: 7. Goals: 0. Finals: 2.

With seven games to his name, his fairytale selection is Simon Taylor’s nightmare. Took his fellow ruckman’s spot in round 22 and has not given it up. An aggressive player who will keep the pressure on Geelong’s Brad Ottens and Mark Blake when the Hawks’ No.1 ruckman Robert Campbell is resting.

CLINTON YOUNG. Age: 22. No: 11. Games: 63. Goals: 26. Finals: 4.

Long-kicking running player who can deliver the ball well to the Hawks’ potent attack and can also kick a long goal. Has picked up 20 disposals or more in each of the Hawks’ two previous finals and kicked two goals against the Saints last week.

EMERGENCIES:

THOMAS MURPHY. Age: 22. No: 29. Games: 30. Goals: 3. Finals: 1.

After 12 games over three seasons before this year, the 22-year-old defender has slotted in for 18 this year, including 12 straight before he was a late withdrawal for the preliminary final. Did a good job on star Geelong forward Steve Johnson when the teams last met.

SIMON TAYLOR. Age: 26. No: 13. Games: 66. Goals: 15. Finals: 2.

The tall, rangy ruckman looks set to become one of the hard luck stories of grand final week. Had been an automatic inclusion in the side for almost two full seasons, until he was rested in round 22. Has been unable to make his way back for the Hawks’ two finals. Main asset is good tap work.

TRAVIS TUCK. Age: 21. No: 22. Games: 9. Goals: 1. Finals: 0.

Fringe midfielder, who managed eight games in his second year at the club. Good in tight, a possible understudy to Sam Mitchell.