LEADER Chris Dawes says Melbourne has taken some confidence from Greater Western Sydney’s win over Hawthorn last round, as the Demons prepare to take on the Hawks at the MCG this Saturday.  

Speaking at AAMI Park on Thursday, Dawes says the Hawks were vulnerable, given their missing several key players, including outstanding duo Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis, who are both sidelined through suspension.

“Across the league at the moment, any team on their day is capable of beating any other team – that’s how even the competition is getting,” he said.

“You look at a team like GWS, who have traditionally struggled against Hawthorn, and for them to come out and win in the way that they did – that gives us real confidence.

“For half a game, we were a better team than GWS [in round two], so we know we’re capable of doing that.

“It also tells me that the Hawks are going to be vulnerable in the sense that they don’t have their best 22 and they’re missing a few and they’re coming off a loss, so it shows that they can be beaten.”

Asked if this could be Melbourne’s best chance of defeating Hawthorn since 2006, Dawes said “it can work both ways”.

“On one hand, you’re facing the Hawks when they’re not at their best and on the other hand, you’re facing a team that’s been good for a few years,” he said.

“They’re a proud team, who are coming off a loss and are going to be coming out and trying to make amends for that.

“I think we’ve got to prepare as best we can to beat the Hawthorn side we’re expecting to face.”