The Hawks beat the Magpies three times last year, including a Qualifying Final, and scored at least 20 goals each time, the highest three scores Collingwood conceded all season.
Defensive coach Ben Hart says the signs over the pre-season and in wins over North Melbourne and Carlton in the first two rounds are that Collingwood's off-season focus on its work without the ball has helped.
But he's keen to see how it holds up against the Hawks, who booted 23 goals in a 50-point win over West Coast in Perth last weekend, with Lance Franklin snaring five and Cyril Rioli and Luke Breust four each.
"Coming up against a side that are very powerful offensively if you allow them to be, it's going to be great for us where we're at at the moment," Hart said.
"We're reasonably happy with how we've been going pre-season and the first two rounds on the defensive side of the game and as a backline as well.
"But there's certainly room for improvement…it's a really good opportunity to see how we're going in that department."
While the Hawks boast a star-studded and deep attack, Hart said it was as much their work further up the ground that produced big scores.
"Two of the games we played them last year they got on top around stoppages and probably contested ball," he said.
"That can hurt you defensively because you've got the ball going into your defence the whole time and you can be under pressure.
"One game I think they just beat us with the way they moved the ball really well.
"It's a combination of areas."
The absence of hard-nosed Hawk midfielder Brad Sewell (hamstring) - a key figure in all three Hawthorn wins over Collingwood last season - will help Collingwood.
But the Magpies are missing two of their own midfield keys, Dayne Beams and Luke Ball, and have lost No.1 ruckman Darren Jolly (ribs) and captain Nick Maxwell (wrist).
Veteran Ben Hudson replaces Jolly for his Magpies debut, while midfield speedster Dale Thomas will play his first game of the season and one-gamer Jack Frost replaces Maxwell.
Hawthorn small defender Taylor Duryea will make his AFL debut.
