The Hawks were humbled by 19 points at ANZ Stadium when the clubs met in round eight, but they were without two of their prime movers through the middle and across half-back, Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge.

Mitchell had torn his hamstring just a week earlier, while Hodge was a late withdrawal. This contributed to a lack of composure, with the Hawks conceding 95 disposals in their defensive 50 – their highest in any game since 2010 – while having only 48 inside 50s – their fewest this year.

While key forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett combined for six goals for the Swans, it was the likes of prime midfielders Dan Hannebery (40 disposals), Josh Kennedy (36) and Kieren Jack (29) who took control, despite Jordan Lewis and Burgoyne each having 28 disposals.

''That was a few weeks ago; we obviously had a different team then. We suffered some injuries. I think Hodgey pulled out just before the bounce. I don't think we had Mitch, so we're going to have a different team, so will they,'' Burgoyne said on Wednesday.

''We had a good week off, looked at some areas that we can improve on, what we need to do. There are a whole heap of areas. Obviously the midfield battle is very crucial.

''They have some very good forwards and some under-rated backmen as well. They are a pretty complete team. We are going to need everyone.''

Curbing the Swans' midfield could be even more difficult now that they're closing in on a possible club record 13-game winning streak, not to mention the fact that second-tier onballers Ben McGlynn, Craig Bird and Luke Parker are averaging more than 20 possessions per game.

What will help the Hawks is the expected return of line-breaker Brad Hill, who has missed the past two matches because of a knee complaint.

Burgoyne, having enjoyed a few days visiting family in Adelaide over the bye weekend, would not add his voice to suggestions that the competition-leading Swans were the team to beat for the flag, suggesting seven or eight sides still had the capability of claiming the premiership.

''It doesn't matter where you sit on the ladder, you have to bring your A-game, your intensity, otherwise you'll get knocked off,'' he said.

What isn't in dispute, though, is the type of attitude the Hawks will need if they're to strengthen their hopes of a top-two finish. ''It is one of the games you get yourself up for,'' Burgoyne said.

Franklin can also expect to be primed for the occasion as he ventures into potentially hostile Hawks territory for the first time since he quit the club he helped to two premierships.

Burgoyne, though, wants Hawks fans to show respect for the match-winning forward, as he was once in a similar position to Franklin, having been a key part of Port Adelaide before leaving.

''Hopefully, they treat him with some respect. I think that's what he deserves. He has done a lot for our footy club over [his] first nine years in the AFL,'' he said.

''I changed clubs as well, so I know exactly what he is going through. He performed quite well against us up in Sydney in round eight so we're expecting him to play well.

''But when the siren sounds, he's just going to be another player out there, and I think our fans will just treat him like a normal player as well.''

Franklin, with 47 goals this season, including six against Carlton before the bye, will almost certainly have good mate Josh Gibson as his direct opponent.

Gibson has not played since hurting his pectoral muscle against the Swans, but the reigning best and fairest will need to rubber-stamp his selection by emerging unscathed at training on Thursday.

He faces a rugged challenge on Saturday: since round five, Franklin has the most goals of any player (40), is second for score involvements behind Kennedy, and is the most used target inside 50.