TRADITIONALLY over the course of an AFL season, there are a handful of games that have that extra bit of spice and seem to mean just a little bit more than others
Already this year, Collingwood's first clash against former coach Mick Malthouse, the showdown between winless sides Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney, plus Richmond's litmus test against the Pies held more weight than your average home-and-away clash.
Another is on the cards this Saturday night when Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans meet for the first time since last year's epic Grand Final.
Although they can never reverse the pain of losing despite being warm favourites, the Hawks will surely relish a chance to atone for such an agonising near miss.
On the flipside, some felt the Swans had swooped in and stolen a flag ahead of time, and individuals inside their camp may well want to prove they are indeed worthy premiers.
Adding to the intrigue, both sides have started this year 5-1 and can steal an early march in the race for the all-important top four.
"We're really looking forward to the challenge this week," Swans veteran Jude Bolton told AFL.com.au.
"It's a big stage and the guys have a bit of a short turnaround, so we have to get ready.
"It'll be good to go down to Melbourne and both sides are in good form.
"Some of our personnel has changed and some of theirs has as well.
"Obviously it's the same precinct (as the Grand Final), but that's gone now and we move on."
Of the Swans side that overcame the Brisbane Lions on Sunday, Ben McGlynn, Dane Rampe, Tony Armstrong and Jed Lamb weren't part of last year's Grand Final-winning outfit.
Mitch Morton, Lewis Roberts-Thomson (knee), Rhyce Shaw (abdominal) and Alex Johnson (knee) were the missing premiership quartet.
For the Hawks, Cyril Rioli, Xavier Ellis, Shane Savage, Ryan Schoenmakers, Matt Suckling and Clinton Young were all absent at the weekend from the side that contested the Grand Final.
Brent Guerra, Bradley Hill, Taylor Duryea, Brian Lake, Jonathan Simpkin and Michael Osborne were the new faces for Saturday's win over Adelaide.
"Personnel has changed a bit for both teams through injury," Swans coach John Longmire said.
"We might have four or five players who weren't playing at the end of last year. It's the same with the Hawks.
"It's really hard to compare both of our seasons to date because obviously we're just looking at what we're doing.
"But I saw them play (against Adelaide), they played a really strong brand of footy against an opponent on their ground who were really up for the battle."
Pleased with the effort against the Lions, Longmire knows his side must lift again to overcome the Hawks.
"Just because we did that doesn't mean it automatically rolls into this week," he said.
"We know we've got a fantastic opponent who we really respect and who have won five in a row.
"It's a big challenge for us."
James Dampney is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD
