Speculation over senior coach Alastair Clarkson's possible move to West Coast is having no impact on the Hawks' preparations for Saturday's AFL grand final against Fremantle, assistant coach Brett Ratten says.

Clarkson has released a statement denying a TV report he'd be heading west in 2014 despite having one year left on his Hawthorn contract.

Hawthorn club president Andrew Newbold has also dismissed speculation over the 2008 premiership coach's future.

Asked if the issue had been a talking point with the players and coaching staff, Ratten said on Thursday: "Not at all.

"Al put the statement out yesterday and that's gone now so we're really concentrating on the grand final," Ratten said.

"Al's contracted (for 2014 at Hawthorn) and no one's even spoken about it."

A crowd of more than 5000 turned out in wet and windy conditions at Waverley Park on Thursday to watch the Hawks have a light skills session.

Ratten wasn't concerned about how Fremantle's defensive pressure, combined with a forecast for wet conditions at the MCG on Saturday, might restrict Hawthorn's scoring power.

"The boys are pretty confident," Assistant Coach Ratten said.

"They've worked really hard this season and there's a lot of confidence in the way that we've played. This is a big game; there's great expectations but we're really looking forward to it.

"We've played in wet, dry, windy, so it doesn't matter.

"Our form's been good throughout the season so it won't change really the way we want to play."

Ratten, who joined the Hawks in 2013, said the stories about the Hawks being the family club were accurate.

"When you talk about the family club and the way the place as an organisation gets together, it's really evident when you get here," he said.

"The closeness of not just the football people but also the staff and the things that they do together. They're so caring for each other and show a lot of empathy.

"They're really driven to achieve the one thing and that's not just the football department. That's across the board, and I've been really impressed with that."

Ratten's fellow assistant coach Brendon Bolton says last year's grand-final loss to Sydney would inspire the Hawks.

"The one thing I have noticed is there is just a little bit of a steely resolve and a look in the eye because, after last year, you know what a defeat looks like," he said.

"I think we're a lot better prepared this year."