Watch Alastair Clarkson and Luke Hodge's press conference above.

HAWTHORN'S 2012 finals campaign will be focused on the here and now if the comments by coach Alastair Clarkson and skipper Luke Hodge can be taken as a guide.

The relaxed pair fronted up at Fox Footy's South Melbourne studios on Monday for the traditional finals-eve media conference, determined not be drawn on seasons past or recent clashes against Collingwood.

So when asked whether there were any comparisons between this premiership assault and the successful campaign of 2008, Clarkson quipped that he couldn't remember back that far.

Nor were the pair prepared to dwell on the two comfortable wins over the Magpies earlier this year - other than to say it was better to have won them than to have lost - or back further, the shocking three-point loss to Collingwood in last year's preliminary final, a match the Hawks had control of until early in the final quarter.

"We've had some ding-dong battles with the Pies in the last couple of years and in that time they've won a couple and we've won a couple," Clarkson said.

"We know that Collingwood's best is good enough to beat anyone in the competition. And if we manage to produce our best we know that ours is as well.

"It's just a matter of which team brings it on the day. And it is noteworthy that Cloke played sensationally against the Bombers on Saturday night and if he's able to get the supply from their quality midfielders then he's going to be really difficult to contain."

Clarkson was asked whether he "licked his lips" when he saw Scott Pendlebury and Nick Maxwell handling rucking duties for Collingwood last weekend. Coaches don't "lick their lips" he said, but the tactic was noted.

"We don't know whether it's a significant strength for them or something we can try to expose. Sometimes when you use those strategies it's like having another midfielder. I'm sure they hope what they lose in the ruck they win at ground level."

Hawthorn's ace on Friday night will be Lance Franklin, and the Pies, like several sides, have been on the receiving end of some brilliance from Franklin in the past.

But the six weeks he missed because of various ailments made the Hawks less Franklin-conscious and the goals at Hawthorn are now well shared.

"To have that spread of goalkickers is really important to us and to have Buddy come in and play his role - he has kicked four goals in each of the last two games - is important to us." Clarkson said.

"I know everyone else in the football world wants to see the extraordinary exploits of talent and exquisite class, but all we are searching for is for him to come in and play his role.

"Finals footy doesn't usually bring out the classy acts… finals are won by hard grunt and we're expecting that if he can play his role for the side we will win games of footy. "

Hodge said the Hawks were probably less Franklin-conscious than ever.

"When he had those six weeks out we had to find other options. He's a versatile player, sometimes he plays high and other times he plays deeper. Gunston has been able to benefit from that most; he has kicked goals consistently," Hodge said.

"But as 'Clarko' said we are looking for all six forwards to play their role, bob up when they can and do what they have to do."

You can follow AFL Media senior writer Ashley Browne on Twitter @afl_hashbrowne