Saturday will be his and the club's fourth successive season decider, and from the 22 that played in Friday's preliminary final win over Fremantle just three (Ryan Schoenmakers, Billy Hartung and James Frawley) haven't got a premiership medallion.

On the other side of the coin, just three Eagles (Sharrod Wellingham, Xavier Ellis and Sam Butler) have had flag success, with Butler the only one with that club in 2006.

"We've been there before and we know what it is all about," Birchall said.

"It is just a terrific week and we have to embrace it, so hopefully there is a little bit of an advantage there."

Hawthorn's strong recent record against the Western Australians away from Perth (they have not lost to them in Melbourne since 2006 and have played four games in Launceston in that time) is another factor that could prove decisive on Saturday.

Before the qualifying final loss, the Hawks had been victorious in their five previous encounters.

Birchall said the Hawks' use of the ball via uncontested marks, accuracy in front of goal (15.4), ability to set-up behind the ball and rebound were the major positives to come from Friday's preliminary final win over minor premier Fremantle.

Birchall collected 22 disposals at 86.4 disposal efficiency rate.

If the Hawks were successful it would be the club's 13th premiership, with all those cups coming in 55 years, and they would become the fourth club (after Brisbane in 2003, Sydney in 2005 and the Eagles in 2006) to salute after losing their first final in the current finals system.

Ironically, all three of those clubs defeated the team in the decider that had earlier knocked them off.

West Coast are aiming for their fourth premiership from six grand finals.

A Hawthorn win would also make Birchall a four-time premiership player, but that is not something he is thinking about at the start of grand final week

"I've had a terrific ride so far and I'm very fortunate to be part of such a special group," the 27-year-old said.

"Once you get that winning feeling and taste that success, you just want more of it.

"If that eventuates that's fantastic, but I will just focus on the preparation and the game itself on Saturday, and that sort of stuff will look after itself after the game."