The clash at what's been a graveyard for the club comes after ending a staggering run of outs against South East Melbourne by notching their first win over the league newcomers in Wollongong last week.

It was a game that looked to be heading down a familiar path before a stunning late resurgence sealed what's arguably the Hawks most important victory this season.

"I didn't know if we were at the stage yet, or had the talent and depth, to beat the Phoenix," Goorjian said.

"You throw Broekhoff in there and what they had done [to us] prior, I was looking at the Brisbane game thinking 'God we've got to get this one'. Then we lost that one.

"I knew the guys were desperate but I honestly didn't know, even if we played really well and covered all our bases, if we had enough to get that one done. We'd been losing and not looking good and now you're 17 down against a team that's been beating you pretty good.

"We fought back and they went away again in the fourth quarter. Then we had that second burst and I thought 'man these guys are resilient'. I was as excited as I've been all year after that game."

CAPTAIN'S CALL: Solutions simple but not always easy

The Hawks record in Perth is one of the more staggering hoodoos in Australian sport but, with the Wildcats now the only team the Hawks haven't beaten this season, Goorjian has a singular focus.

"I guess this team carries that because it's got 'Illawarra' on its top," Goorjian said.

"It's interesting, up until the last time we lost to them I had no idea we hadn't [ever] beaten Phoenix. Whatever our record is with Perth, I think everybody struggles. I've been away 12 years and it's clear to me they've been doing a shitload of winning over there.

"It's interesting in sport, sometimes your best games aren't good enough. I thought the game we played in Perth [in round 11] was as good as we've played next to the Phoenix [win] so obviously for us to win there we need to play damn-near perfect.

"They've got this style of play and they remind me when I was competing with the Tigers at the Magic. It's a group of guys who are hard-nailed and know how to win in this competition. It's like a McDonald's franchise.

"The culture and energy thing has to be there. You've got to get the loose balls, can't miss a block-out, got to out-hustle them and out-work them. That's a hard thing to do with a team like that because that's what they're so good at."

It's the first leg of a tough road double that includes a trip to Melbourne to take on United, the second time they've taken on the top two on the road in 48 hours this season.

There is some respite on the horizon, with the schedule for the remainder of the season released on Thursday seeing them play seven of their last nine games at home.

"It's a resilient team and I'm proud of where we are right now for what we've been through this year and being a first-up group," Goorjian said.

"I've never been part of a competition where a team's had to deal with what New Zealand's dealt with. It's incredible what they've been through for the whole season and [we have] tremendous respect. Take them out and we're next.

"Sometimes I turn on the TV and see Melbourne and think 'do they ever leave there'. I've moved to a point now that this is what it is. We're still in the mix for the playoffs and, when you're building a new culture, it's important that the games matter."