McLeod believes that series has the Hawks battle-hardened for their first decider since 2005.

"This year, we didn't have very good results coming out of a long break," McLeod said.

"How Perth respond to it depends on where they are at as a group, for us it wasn't good."

McLeod downplayed the significance of Wollongong's dismal 3-11 road record - including two losses from as many attempts out west.

"It's not a true refection of how we competed on the road this year, we were in almost every contest," McLeod said.

McLeod gave his players yesterday off, but the coach of the year favourite was busy poring over video of the Wildcats, who finished atop the ladder with a 27-11 record, including an imposing 12-2 mark at home.

"We have played four times, everyone has seen each other a fair bit now, they know our game and we know theirs," he said.

"We will go over some of their stuff on Wednesday as a group.

"I just want to give the players some time to take the pressure off mentally and physically, because once the series starts it is going to crank up."

McLeod's counterpart, Perth coach Rob Beveridge, yesterday declared his side had adjusted to their extended lay-off.

"Just having that wait made us anxious and we didn't know who we were going to play or how we'd have to prepare, but over the last few weeks it has been about reinforcing to our guys that it's about us," he said.

"I wasn't happy last week and that was probably the waiting game, and the uncertainty, but right now today's practice was very good."