HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson has confirmed the club's interest in Melbourne free agent James Frawley.

In Hobart with the 2014 premiership cup, Clarkson said he is yet to turn his attention to next season and a possible hat-trick of flags.

But he didn't mince words when it came to the subject of in-demand Frawley who has played his last game for the Demons and has been linked to Geelong and Fremantle as well as the Hawks.

"We are interested in James's services," Clarkson said, adding that coming days will prove crucial in securing the versatile defender.

"We're probably a little bit behind the eight-ball given we've had a campaign to concentrate on in terms of trying to win a Grand Final. We'll see how that materialises over the next week."

There could also be changes on the sideline for the Hawks with assistant coach Brendon Bolton reported to be in the sights of Adelaide, which sacked coach Brenton Sanderson two weeks ago.

Clarkson on Wednesday paid tribute to Bolton, who stepped in mid-season when illness put the senior coach out of action.

"He did a super job and he helped the club win all five of those games in my absence, so that helped us through a part of the year that was pretty scratchy for us," Clarkson said.

Bolton didn't accompany the team during the brief visit to Tasmania, the Hawks' second home and his home state, and instead jetted to Adelaide for talks with the South Australian club, Fairfax reported.

Clarkson is said to have endorsed Bolton's claim for the Crows' job.

Hawks captain Luke Hodge said Hawthorn has built a reputation for developing coaching staff and wouldn't be surprised if Bolton was headhunted.