HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson said yesterday that his young side was much better prepared for St Kilda than the last time the two teams met, when his injury-depleted Hawks were crushed by the Saints.

Clarkson said yesterday things would be different in tonight's match at the MCG.

"We're so much better prepared this time round and we haven't got so many injuries," he said. "If we can keep our more experienced players then the bottom end of our list isn't exposed anywhere near as much.

"That's what happened last year, and if we can keep those guys on the park then we'll be better placed to be much more competitive this year."

Clarkson said he was optimistic about the Hawks' chances.

"They have beaten us quite comprehensively the last two times we've played them … but our results this year would indicate that we have (come a long way)," he said.

"St Kilda have been a good side for a number of years now and it's a good test for our guys to see how far we've come in the last 12 months."

The Hawks have not lost by more than four goals all season, and Clarkson is confident his defenders will make life difficult for the Saints.

"It depends what they do, but we think we've got personnel down there that can make it difficult for the St Kilda forwards," he said.

The Hawks (eighth) are narrowly ahead of the Saints (ninth) on the ladder, but losing the last three match-ups, including last season's 70-point thrashing, has made the Saints favourites heading into the clash, despite some injury concerns.

"They've got a side that could quite seriously have challenged (for the premiership) over the last two or three years had they not had so many problems with injuries, and they're still in that window right now," he said.

Hawthorn's Joel Smith, who was sidelined for four weeks due to a knee injury, makes his return this week. Jarryd Roughead also returns for the Hawks.

Clarkson said he was satisfied Smith was ready to play.

"He's had two-and-a-half games (in the VFL) and we've had a pretty measured campaign to make sure when he does come back, he's right for the rest of the year.

"Hopefully we get a good second half of the year out of him."

Clarkson was coy about Hawthorn's overall chances this season, but said a win tonight was important.

"You're not going to win every (game), but you think you'd love to win this one because it'll give you a one or two game buffer," he said. "But the bottom line is there's a pack of clubs that have about a game between them. It's a very competitive season and you'd love to win every game that you play, but unfortunately that can't happen."

St Kilda last night adjusted its team as ruckman Matthew Clarke failed in his bid to return from a calf injury.

The Saints had named Clarke to play, but his place will be taken by midfielder David Armitage. Clarke's absence means Michael Rix will ruck, with Justin Koschitzke as support.

with AAP