DUNSBOROUGH local Ben Stratton is up for the challenge of Friday's preliminary final against Fremantle.
The 26-year-old will play his 15th final and he is fast earning a reputation as being capable of shutting down the competition's most dangerous forwards.
Speaking to hawthornfc.com.au , Stratton said he is happy to take on whichever opponent he is faced with.
"Fremantle have a couple of zippy smalls in Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters and if I'm chopping and changing between them and their mediums, guys like Chris Mayne, I'd be happy with that," he said.
Stratton's abilities were on show last week when he held All-Australian forward Eddie Betts goalless in last week's semi-final against Adelaide, but the 115-gamer said he was just doing his job.
Friday night's clash against the Dockers poses an exciting challenge according to the now seasoned finals campaigner.
"It's sort of business as usual, but it's a pretty exciting time of the year," Stratton said.
"You have a long hard stretch over summer for three or four months and it's all pretty much for this time of the year."
There has been plenty of talk about the Hawks chasing a three-peat but Stratton said that was far from the minds of the Hawks as they press their claims for a fourth consecutive grand final appearance.
“There’s guys in the team that are pushing for one (premiership),” Stratton said.
“A grand final’s a grand final, it’s a different year. You can’t really talk about that, that’s in the past and there’s no point.
“It’s probably good to look back on at the end of your career and look at those wins, but we’re here and now at the moment – there’s no point looking at last year or the year before.”
