After holding their nerve against Fremantle in a Launceston nail-biter, Hawthorn are keen to test their big-game mettle against the masters of the close thrillers - Collingwood.
Three second-half goals from Hawks defender James Sicily helped Hawthorn overcome a 15-point deficit against Fremantle on Saturday on the way to a 13-point victory.
The result improved Hawthorn's record to 9-8, keeping them within striking distance of the top eight.
Hawthorn have been involved in five games this year that have been decided by seven points or less.
They came up trumps against the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and GWS, but fell short against Collingwood and Port Adelaide.
Although the win against Fremantle ended up being by 13 points, there were only two points in it with less than four minutes remaining.
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell was thrilled with the way his players held their nerve at the death, but he knows they will receive another huge test when they take on Collingwood at the MCG next Saturday.
"Collingwood have probably been the masters of it for at least a couple of years - being able to manage really close games and win an unbelievably high rate of them," Mitchell said.
"They're the benchmark, but we're making strides in that direction.
"It doesn't get any bigger than what it is next week - a Hawthorn home game against Collingwood.
"I think every Hawks fan is going to be saying, 'OK, how do I get a ticket to that one?'"
Collingwood (8-7-2) have lost three straight matches and need to beat the Hawks to get their finals hopes back on track.
Another big plus to come out of Hawthorn's win over Fremantle was a late goal to Nick Watson.
The first-year sensation, who entered the match with 6.18 to his name, stepped up to nail a long-range goal from the boundary line to ice the win in the dying minutes.
"In the last two or three games, he's actually been kicking at goal well. Even the misses he's had are really good shots," Mitchell said.
Fremantle's sixth loss of the season could prove costly to their top-four hopes.
Jye Amiss kicked his team's first goal of Saturday's match, but the spearhead missed some gettable chances after that on the way to 1.3.
It took his season tally to 24.24, a far cry from last year's accurate 41.17.
"It looked like he stuck to his routine," Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said.
"There's no doubt that when you're missing goals, that does play on your mind a little bit.
"We have to help him work through that, and I have no doubt he will."
Fremantle are set to welcome back ruckman Sean Darcy (concussion) and skipper Alex Pearce (fractured arm) for next Sunday's crunch clash with Melbourne at Optus Stadium.
