HAWTHORN ruckman Ben McEvoy says gaining a psychological advantage over nemesis Geelong is not the Hawks' priority when the arch-rivals clash on Saturday night.

The Hawks and Cats are seemingly on a collision course to meet in a blockbuster qualifying final at the MCG, but will first slug it out in round 22.

The contest could have big ramifications for the top four, with a Geelong victory securing the Cats a top-two spot.

The Hawks could still drop as low as fourth and face a potential interstate trip in the first week of finals.

McEvoy said securing a home qualifying final, rather than worrying about getting a psychological edge over Geelong, was more important to the reigning premiers.

"It's certainly an interesting one. I think when you know you're going to play a couple of times in a few weeks it can be maybe a little bit of a game of cat and mouse tactically," he said.

"But I don't think it makes too much difference to how we go into the game. We just want to go in and have a win, really."

Geelong won 11 straight matches against Hawthorn after its shock 2008 Grand Final defeat before the Hawks broke the so-called "Kennett Curse" in last year's thrilling five-point preliminary final triumph.

The Cats exacted a modicum of revenge with a 19-point victory in round seven, McEvoy's first taste of the famous rivalry since being traded from St Kilda.

"The so-called curse … I haven't really had anything to do with that, so it's not really relevant to me," he said.

"We'll just play Geelong this week, and they're just as tough to beat wearing brown and gold as they were when I was wearing St Kilda colours.

"You can't really control what's going to happen in a few weeks' time as to how the finals draw will play out, so we'll just worry about this week and trying to get a win on the board."

McEvoy has been restricted to 12 games in his first season at Hawthorn, partly because of calf and hamstring issues.

The ex-Saint also had to fight to regain his spot after the emergence of Jonathon Ceglar, who continues to pressure the more experienced McEvoy and David Hale.

"The pressure's always there which is healthy for us having guys competing. Then if there's injuries at any point you know that someone else can step in," McEvoy said.

"I've got to just keep striving to put my best foot forward to make sure I can keep my spot in the side anyway."

Meanwhile, McEvoy said hamstrung star Cyril Rioli remains in good spirits despite a slower than hoped rehabilitation.

McEvoy was confident Rioli would be able to come straight into the side for a final without playing any lead-in matches.

"I would have thought if anyone's good enough Cyril is but that's a decision for the coaches and not me, thankfully," he said.

"Hopefully that's a decision that they have to make."