HAWTHORN midfield coach Brendon Bolton hopes a weekend off will give the Hawks a crucial advantage in their preliminary final.
Having moved straight through to week three of the finals with their 38-point win over Collingwood on Friday night, Bolton said Hawks players had been handed a lighter training load early this week to freshen their bodies.
By contrast, Adelaide and Fremantle are preparing for a cut-throat semi-final, with the winner earning the right to challenge the Hawks for a Grand Final spot.
Bolton said he had no preference as to who won the clash between the Crows and Freo, hoping only for a tough, hard contest.
"We'd rather go in the way that we have, having a week off, but in terms of an opponent, we've just got to face whoever comes and make sure our focus is purely on that game," Bolton said on Tuesday.
"Whether it be Adelaide or Fremantle, they're both formidable opponents and have played some really good footy during the year.
"We know Adelaide can move the ball really quick, and obviously Fremantle's defensive side is outstanding standing.
"So we're going to have to bring a really focused game.
"Hopefully they've got a really brutal contest and we come out a little bit fresher than they are."
As midfield coach at the Hawks, Bolton is overseeing one of the form onball divisions in the AFL, with Sam Mitchell and Brad Sewell leading the way against the Magpies last week.
But Bolton said the support the star duo had received from others had been vitally important.
"What's been pleasing is, it's been a really balanced contribution," he said.
"It hasn't been just Mitchell and Sewell, it's been a real spread.
"Provided we can do that again, it takes a lot of the focus off Sam and Brad."
And even with 15 days to prepare for their next assignment, Bolton said the Hawks were blocking out all distractions and thoughts of glory.
"They know they've got a job to do and their focus is on, 'what did I do well on the weekend and what do I need to continue to do?' And, 'what do I need to improve on?' Bolton said.
"So with that mindset on everyone, 'focused' is the best way to describe it."
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