MELBOURNE forward Chris Dawes is confident the Demons can upstage Hawthorn on Saturday, saying the understrength reigning premiers are "really gettable" while they search for top form.

The Hawks (3-3) are yet to string together consecutive wins this season and suffered a shock 10-point defeat to Greater Western Sydney last round.

And although Melbourne hasn't beaten Hawthorn since 2006 - losing the past 11 meetings by an average margin of 50 points - Dawes believes the Hawks could be vulnerable at the MCG.

"The thing we've found is that playing against good opposition, you've got to respect them without bowing to them – you can't give them too much respect, if that makes sense," Dawes told the club's website.

"We've still got to go out there and beat them – and plan to beat them.

"The Hawks are really gettable. They're not at their best yet, definitely, so I'm going to be planning to win this week and be expecting to win on Saturday."

While the Hawks might still be searching for consistency, they have been ruthlessly rebounded from losses this season.

In round three they belted the Western Bulldogs by 70 points after a dramatic loss to Essendon the previous week, and then smashed North Melbourne by 60 points in round five following an Anzac Day defeat to Port Adelaide. 

Captain Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis are still serving suspensions from the fiery Roos clash, but James Frawley (pectoral) is set to return to face his former side at the MCG this Saturday and fellow key defender Brian Lake (knee) is also pushing for a recall.

The Dees, who have a 2-4 win-loss record, were comfortably beaten by the Sydney Swans by 38 points last round, but coach Paul Roos took some positives after his side won the second half by two points.