What's not special about Hawthorn's cult hero?

Ask Hawthorn teammates what's special about the man dubbed 'The Wizard' and the list of answers will be as long as your arm.

No-fuss defender Tom Barrass simplifies his response with another question: "What's not special about him?"

"He's a fantastic player - up there with the best I've seen from a young age," Barrass told AAP.

"He's tough as nails, he's so clean and he can just do things that other players can't."

The Wizard, also known as Nick Watson, has a growing highlights reel as proof.

In his past two outings, the diminutive forward has weaved his magic with a mark-of-the-year entry against West Coast and a brilliant goal off the ground that sparked a stunning upset of minor premiers Fremantle.

That victory secured direct passage to a preliminary final, with the Hawks to host the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Saturday.

Ryan Lester and Darcy Wilmot loom as likely match-ups for Watson, after fellow defender Noah Answerth was unable to overcome an ankle injury in time.

Answerth held Watson goalless from just nine disposals last month when the Lions won their previous clash with Hawthorn by 67 points.

It was a rare blip for Watson, who appears made for the finals stage, where the competition's best players have stamped themselves over time as greats of the game.

The 21-year-old kicked seven goals in two finals in 2024, his debut season, and added four in three finals last year, while his two in Perth a fortnight ago proved pivotal.

Hawthorn raised eyebrows when selecting Watson at No.5 in the 2023 draft, amid doubts over the 170cm talent's stature.

It has never bothered the man himself, who burst onto the AFL scene and immediately developed a cult following.

The hype around the young star has gone into overdrive since his first All-Australian selection last month, and there will again be sea of pointed wizard hats in the MCG crowd on Saturday.