HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson says Friday night's big clash between the Hawks and Carlton will be decided in the middle of the ground, and warns that the Blues won't have everything their own way.

With Brownlow Medal fancies Chris Judd and Marc Murphy in sparkling form, Carlton's on-ball brigade has been talked up as the AFL's best.

Hawks skipper Luke Hodge joined that chorus on Wednesday, rating the Blues' midfield "right at the top" of the competition.

Clarkson acknowledged it would be a key focus for his team.

"The midfield is just so critical," he said before training at Waverley Park on Thursday.

"That's probably the great strength of their game, winning the ball in the middle of the ground and then providing their forwards with enough opportunity to score.

"If we can try to at least break even or maybe defeat them in that part of the ground, it'll give us a great chance to win the game."

The 2008 premiership coach said Hawthorn would pay attention to Judd and Murphy, but warned that being too mindful of the star duo could be costly.

"I really like their support cast in their midfield," he said.

"You've got to be mindful of all their players; you can't just be focussing on one or two.

"We obviously need to put time into Judd and Murphy because they've been in such good form for them, but it's really the whole balance of their midfield that has been their great strength."

While talking the opposition up, Clarkson also noted that the potential match-winners in the centre wouldn't all be wearing navy blue.

"They're a quality outfit, but we've also got a strong midfield," he said.

"We've got to make sure that we pay attention to the significant threats in their side, but also recognise that we've got some threats in our side as well."

Mark Macgugan writes for hawthornfc.com.au and covers Hawks news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mmacgugan.