'An honour': Hawks defender on Freo's forward weapons

Hawthorn defender Tom Barrass has described having the chance to take on Fremantle's famed tall forwards in a final as an "honour".

Barrass, along with fellow key defenders Josh Battle and James Sicily, will help shape Thursday night's AFL qualifying final at Optus Stadium.

Dockers forwards Jye Amiss (58 goals), Josh Treacy (54) and Patrick Voss (41) have created headaches for opposition defences this year, powering Fremantle to the minor premiership with a stellar 19-4 win-loss record.

After having the job on Treacy when Hawthorn played in Perth in round nine, Barrass is again expecting a tough battle.

"With the modern game, we chop and change a little bit and try to help each other out where we can," Barrass told AAP.

"It'll be a mix between having an eye on one match-up, as well as helping other players where you can.

"Their forward line's really potent, and like all good teams their midfield's really good as well, so it'll just be an honour to go out there and compete and put your best foot forward in these big games and see which way the ball bounces."

Barrass and Hawthorn won't be focused on any one player, knowing Treacy, Amiss and Voss are all capable of producing a match-winning performance.

"They're all fundamentally good players in the contest, which is the game when you get to finals," Barrass said.

"They've had some nice delivery with their midfield, and the way that Freo attack they work well in synergy with each other and find the space pretty nicely.

In their previous encounter, Hawthorn led by 19 points 12 minutes into the final quarter.

But their lead was quickly wiped out once the Dockers used "Wharfie Time'' for the first and only time this season.

Amiss and Treacy both kicked a goal each in Fremantle's five-goal surge that resulted in a memorable win.