ALASTAIR Clarkson is unperturbed by the scheduling of Hawthorn's Thursday night qualifying final against Richmond, with the Hawks coach declaring the football department doesn't care when they're slated to play.
The four-time premiership coach was pragmatic about the fixturing, despite conceding it could affect what they do with a number of players this week when it comes to Box Hill's VFL elimination final on Saturday.
Read: Hawthorn finals details confirmed
"I think you'll get a different perspective from the playing and coaching point of view that you won't get from a chairman of a footy club," Clarkson said on Monday.
"We're just in the space of being delighted that we've been able to qualify and get the opportunity to play against a formidable opponent at the MCG.
"That's where all our focus is, but I can understand the noise around what's best for the game and stakeholders, which are the fans.
"But as pointy-nosed as it seems in terms of our focus right now, from a coaching and playing perspective, it's just like, 'Where do you want us to play?' and let's just go and get the job done."
A decision this week on whether James Sicily plays in the VFL final will be made once he's gained specialist clearance on the wrist he broke in late July.
A decision this week on whether James Sicily plays in the VFL final will be made once he's gained specialist clearance on the wrist he broke in late July, while James Frawley will need to prove he's over the back injury he suffered against St Kilda.
Next Thursday will be the first time ever the Hawks have faced the Tigers in a final – a remarkable statistic that wasn't lost on Clarkson.
"It's extraordinary, given how strong the sides were in the '70s – they shared five premierships in 10 years," he said.
"Both sides have been highly decorated sides in the competition, have very, very competitive, strong supporter bases with strong membership and it's extraordinary they haven't played against each other, but we defy history this next game where we get an opportunity to play one another for big stakes."
Complicating matters slightly for Clarkson on a personal front is the relationship he has with Richmond coach Damien Hardwick and his family.
They were both involved in Port Adelaide's 2004 premiership – Clarkson as an assistant coach and Hardwick as a player – before Hardwick joined Clarkson's coaching team at Hawthorn in 2005.
Their wives Caryn and Danielle are best friends and even their children are mates.
While Clarkson was part of the Tigers' post-siren celebrations following their Grand Final win over Adelaide last year, he said there wouldn't be the same level of contact over the next fortnight.
"There seems to be an unwritten law between the Clarksons and the Hardwicks," he said.
"In the lead up to the game and the 10 days afterwards, it's always a little bit frosty, so we'll stay out of each other's way for a bit."
Their closeness won't affect how either team prepares, with Clarkson admitting the Tigers' record 21-straight wins at the MCG is "a little intimidating".
Did the four-time premiership coach fire a subtle shot of gamesmanship at his good mate on Monday when he pointed out the anticipation the Tigers would have developed for this qualifying final compared to his Hawks?
"They've been eying off this particular game for a lot longer than what we have. We've been eying it off since Saturday night, while they've been knowing full well they're going to be top four for the best part of the last six weeks, if not the whole season," Clarkson said.
"We've got a big task ahead of us but we've been in these types of situation before and understand it's a two-horse race, anything can happen on any given day, and we're going to be in there fighting to make it really difficult for them."
