Tom Hawkins is looking forward to another tough battle against Sydney Swans key defender Heath Grundy in Friday night's preliminary final.

"He well and truly got me earlier in the year down at Simonds Stadium, so I'm looking forward to that match-up," Hawkins said on the MMM Hot Breakfast program.

Hawkins is feeling fresh after having last weekend off, and he looked upbeat when the Cats hit the training track on Wednesday morning.

"It's been a funny build-up this year, with the break after round 23, but it's certainly an exciting time of year," he said.

"When we were in this position last time it was certain, personnel-wise, a lot different.

"So it's an exciting new challenge for us."