The high-profile recruit missed the Hawks impressive first semi-final victory over Chiltern last weekend with hamstring tightness.

Thompson said the decision to miss the clash was more precautionary than anything.

"I'm cherry ripe and raring to go," Thompson said.

"The hamstring was a bit sore so we rolled the dice a bit and decided to rest it.

"I was confident the boys could get the job done against Chiltern and it ended up being an impressive win.

"So it was a good result all round."

Thompson loomed as the likely match-up for Chiltern match-winner Ricky Whitehead in the first semi-final showdown.

Hawk Peter Winnett played on Whitehead in Thompson's absence.

The reliable defender emerged as the Hawks best player after restricting the dangerous Whitehead to one goal and his lowest tally of the season.

Thompson looks likely to go head-to-head against either of the Tigers' match-winners in Peter Cook or Josh Spence.

"It doesn't really faze me who I get," Thompson said.

"They are both dangerous forwards when they are up and about but I will leave it up to the coaches who they think will be the best match-up."

The Hawks have replaced Mitta as the powerhouse of the competition after playing off in four of the past five deciders.

Thompson said the defending premier won't lack any confidence in the preliminary final after two comprehensive finals wins.

"It has been a bit of a roller-coaster season for us," he said.

"But we are lucky that we boast a lot of finals experience and know what it takes to get the job done out at Sandy Creek.

"If we are not full-strength we will be very close to it and won't have any excuses if we don't make the big dance.

"Everybody knows you can't win flags at the start of the year and you have to be peaking in September."