Wharfie time? We'll be ready, say Hawks

A triple-figure win would have lifted Hawthorn above Brisbane into third spot, meaning they would have faced the decimated Swans in a qualifying final in Sydney.

But fourth spot means Hawthorn will now face the most daunting task in football - taking on the Dockers at Optus Stadium.

Fremantle are a perfect 12-0 at Optus Stadium this year, with their hot run of form at home helping them land the second minor premiership in the club's history.

The Dockers have developed a knack of unleashing devastating goal blitzes late in games.

Hawthorn got a taste of that in round nine when Fremantle, aided by Wharfie Time, kicked the last five goals of the match to turn a 19-point deficit into an 11-point win.

Wharfie time is an enthralling crowd activation shown on the big screen that features a boat tackling massive waves, accompanied by the iconic gong and intro from AC/DC song "Hells Bells" and a dramatic heartbeat sound.

But Mitchell is confident Hawthorn's best can match it with Fremantle, and having two games in Perth this year has given the Hawks vital experience heading into their qualifying final. 

"Obviously, they've got a significant home ground advantage," Mitchell said of Fremantle.

"They've been a great team for the whole season, and they deserve to have a home final, but a home final doesn't make a win. 

"So it's our challenge to come here and get the job done. 

"Having played here twice this season, does that help us? Well, it certainly doesn't hurt, I guess. 

"Does it give us a significant advantage? Of course not. 

"It's still their home ground, but we'll go into the game confident that our best will get it done."

When asked whether he would be training his team to prepare for 'Wharfie time', Mitchell replied: "We prepare for every environment that we play in, and we're obviously going to be in a hostile environment filled with purple, so we'll be ready for that."

Veteran forward Jack Gunston, who kicked five goals against the Eagles in what was his 300-game milestone, looms as a major weapon.

Gunston tore Fremantle apart in round nine with five first-half goals before being limited by Brennan Cox.

But the star Dockers defender may not be present for the qualifying final after injuring his calf in Saturday's 37-point loss to Carlton, meaning Fremantle will have to come up with a plan B.

Another danger man Hawthorn possess is Nick Watson, with the small forward kicking three goals and taking a mark of the year contender against West Coast.

Watson hurt his hand during the third quarter, but Mitchell said the man fondly dubbed 'The Wizard' was in no doubt to take on Fremantle in two weeks' time.