The cards keep falling Hawthorn’s way, but star midfielder Sam Mitchell is warning against over-confidence heading into Friday night’s AFL preliminary final against Geelong.

Despite the “Kennett Curse”, Hawthorn will start favourites against their fierce rivals.

They had more good news on Tuesday when star forward Cyril Rioli moved well at training, raising expectations he will return from an ankle injury.

The Hawks will also regain key forward Lance Franklin from suspension, while the Cats have lost Paul Chapman to suspension and Corey Enright remains in doubt with a knee injury.

Hawthorn are also coming off an outstanding 54-point qualifying final win over reigning premiers Sydney.

They are ideally placed to break the so-called curse, the 11-game losing streak against Geelong that started early in the 2009 season.

But Mitchell and his team-mates would also be mindful of this time last year, when they nearly blew the preliminary final against Adelaide and then suffered an upset loss to Sydney in one of the league’s greatest grand finals.

“You have a lot of games where perhaps everything is cherry-ripe to go your way and it doesn’t go your way,” Mitchell said.

“We need to make sure we stick to what we do well and play to our strengths and really try to (expose) some of their weaknesses.

“We should be good enough to win, but if we don’t bring any of those … things, they’re going to be a very hard side to beat.”

There is a massive amount of hype surrounding Friday night’s final because of the epic rivalry between these two clubs.

But Mitchell is keeping whatever thoughts he has about the Cats to himself.

“You don’t get to do it too often – it’s a good position to be in,” he said.

“I’m happy to be playing anyone … a preliminary final, you’re just playing against a side that’s in the way of what you want, and that’s getting to a grand final and winning silverware.

“The fact it’s Geelong doesn’t make much difference.”

On Monday night, Mitchell was rewarded for another outstanding season when he was named in his second All-Australian team.

He was named on a half-back flank, but Mitchell has filled a variety of roles this season through defence and the midfield.

“I’ve been happy with how I’ve been able to contribute,” he said.

“I’ve learnt a lot – Luke Beveridge has tucked me under the wing a little bit as our defensive coach.

“I’ve done a lot of different things and I’ve probably developed my midfield game better.

“Hopefully I’ve become a more rounded player.”