Hawthorn midfielder James Worpel says the squad is doing its best to keep things as normal as possible despite the obvious distraction of the coronavirus situation. 

The reigning Peter Crimmins Medallist says the team is preparing as normal, and doing their best to block out the noise.

"It's an interesting time, no one really knows what's going on," Worpel said. 

"But we just need to keep listening to the doctors and focus on staying fit and healthy.

"For now we've been told we're playing Round 1 so we're going to prepare for that as normal.

"Despite everything, the moral remains pretty high in the playing group."

On Friday evening, the AFL commission told its clubs it intended to play all nine matches of round one without spectators in stadiums in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.

Worpel conceded the lack of fans this weekend would be an odd experience.

"It's going to be weird not having any fans out there but I guess we can only really help what we can control.

"To the fans, I would say get behind your TVs and cheer from home because we'll need it.

"Please keep supporting us in any way you can."

Coming off a career-best season last year, the 21-year-old said he believed he has taken his game to another level over the summer.

Largely thanks to the tutelage of a returning Brownlow Medallist.

"I think having Tom back around over the pre-season has made me feel like a young player again.

"Having Tom and Jaeger to learn from has been huge this pre-season and I think it's hard not to become a better player around them."

It's an exciting thought for Hawks fans.