Hawthorn forward Michael Osborne says the club is looking forward to the challenge of taking on a St Kilda side still smarting from a 48-point loss to Collingwood at the weekend.
The Hawks smashed the Lions at Aurora Stadium on Saturday, their 75-point win pushing them up to seventh on the ladder and within reach of securing a finals berth.
However, the club faces its biggest test yet on Friday night, and Osborne expects the wounded Saints to come out firing.
"They're probably going to be very motivated this weekend, coming off that loss," Osborne said at Waverley Park on Monday morning.
"They're a dangerous side either way, even when they are winning."
"They're up and about and they've got confidence when they are winning, so it's going to be a tough game for us either way."
The Hawks have shrugged off the early-season blues that saw them slump to 1-6, and Osborne credits a list nearing full strength and the desire to play finals football as key factors in the turnaround.
"You want to beat your man and you want to win every weekend," he said.
"We probably take that attitude into every game. It's definitely a motivating factor and I think a lot of the boys think like that."
"There's a lot of drive and enthusiasm from our guys at the moment."
Osborne praised the playing group for its clinical dismantling of Brisbane, singling out the efforts of Brad Sewell in particular.
The midfielder was dumped at the selection table leading into Round 16 only to earn a reprieve when Lance Franklin failed to prove his fitness.
"It was a great response by him," Osborne said.
"He was dropped for a reason and I think it was just lucky that Buddy didn't get up for the weekend."
"It just shows that the team we've got at the moment, no-one's certain for a spot."
Osborne said Franklin should return for Friday night's clash, with the superstar keen to renew his rivalry with former team-mate and now Saints defender Zac Dawson.
"I think Zac's already been texting Buddy and letting him know he's waiting for him," Osborne said.
"Hopefully he can get back on top of Zac this weekend."