The two-time reigning premiers have the final two matches against the sides that are sitting at the foot of the ladder in Brisbane and Carlton.

Suckling, speaking before the clash with the Lions at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium on Saturday, said the third-placed Hawks would be aiming to put the ‘‘foot down’’ against Brisbane.

‘‘We learned last week against Port Adelaide that if we don’t bring the right attitude and intensity, then we won’t win,’’ the 27-year-old said.

‘‘We will be looking to get back to what we know we are good at, and all the boys will be going out there and taking the game full on.’’

While the Hawks’ top-two aspirations look gone after the defeat to the Power, there’s still plenty to play for before a likely trip to Western Australia in the first week of the finals.

Suckling said players on the fringe would be ‘‘giving their all’’ against Brisbane, with the depth at VFL affiliate Box Hill ensuring that no player would be completely comfortable.

The loss of captain Luke Hodge to suspension for the next two games is also another opportunity for young players to shine.

Suckling, who has played 96 games after debuting in 2009, said the Hawks would be looking to sap the confidence of the young Lions from the first bounce.

‘‘We need to stop them around the stoppages, pretty much straight away,’’ he said.

‘‘Not being in finals contention, they will be able to take some risks and they will try to be attacking against us.’’

The last time the two sides met was at Aurora Stadium in round 1 last season, which makes this game the longest break between matches in AFL history, which Suckling said was another ‘‘interesting’’ element for both sides.

The New South Welshman is returning to the venue where he ruptured the ACL in his right knee in the pre-season of 2013.

While admitting to some anxiety before first setting foot back on the ground a year later, he said that Aurora Stadium was once again one of his favourite grounds to play on.

Suckling, known for his precision by foot, has played 19 games this year, has averaged 20 touches and six marks a game, with three of his best games (25, 28 and 24 touches) taking place in Launceston.

A crowd of more than 14,000 is expected for the 2.10pm game on Saturday.