Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says this week’s blockbuster against Brisbane shapes as an interstate finals rehearsal.

The Hawks are the highest-ranked Victorian side, sitting third on the ladder six points clear of Adelaide in fourth.

Hawthorn would cement a position in the top four with a win over Brisbane at the Gabba on Friday night, which would likely mean an interstate trip in the first week of the finals.

Mitchell says the Hawks won’t analyse the venue – one they have played at just three times in 10 years – but sees the trip as “a start” to September.

“We played there last year and they got the chocolates but we played some OK footy that day,” Mitchell said.

“The ground is reasonably similar proportions to the MCG and we obviously love playing there, so it’s not going to be something we have a huge focus on.

“Clearly, they have a good home ground advantage and play good footy there, but they’re a good side, they play well everywhere.

“I think if you look at the ladder, most Victorian teams are going to have to win interstate at some point and this is a start for us.”

The Hawks have four players proving their fitness ahead of the Lions clash: Ned Reeves (knee), Karl Amon (knee), Mitch Lewis (concussion) and Henry Hustwaite (face).

Mitchell says their selection will depend on how each player recovers from Wednesday’s training session.

“I think we have four guys in the testing category,” he said.

“(Amon) has been pretty mobile, a little bit of change in direction. He obviously had a minor procedure in his knee and making sure he can change direction and run and then pull up OK from those things.

“So far, (Lewis) is still on track. My understanding of concussion is that basically every day or every second day there’s a hoop to jump through.

“You can stay on track for a certain period but you still have to finish the protocols. I think he’s not quite finished it yet. Technically, tomorrow is the first day he could play.

“We have one day up our sleeve, we’ll see how he goes over the next 48 hours.”

Originally published as AFL 2026: Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell on Brisbane Lions, key injury updates