Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson expects his team to discuss last year’s AFL grand final defeat on Friday as they prepare to try to go one better against Fremantle on Saturday.

The Hawks suffered an upset 10-point defeat to Sydney in last season’s decider.

Clarkson said on Thursday night that loss hadn’t yet been mentioned in the build-up to Saturday’s game.

“Not as yet. It will probably be discussed at some point tomorrow,” the Hawks coach said on the Nine Network’s AFL Footy Show.

“But I think our guys are pretty keen, they’re energised and they’re ready for a contest and hopefully it will be a great game of footy.

“We’re ready to go.”

Clarkson reiterated his previous statements that the Hawks felt better prepared than this time last year, when they were fatigued by the battle it took to clinch their top four berth.

“We just ran out of gas and didn’t play our best footy in the last two games of the year,” he said.

“We feel like we’ve been able to prepare ourselves for the finals this year a little bit better, but the proof will be in the pudding.”

Clarkson said he was greatly impressed by the Dockers’ convincing preliminary final win over Sydney, given how much respect Hawthorn held for the Swans.

“We know how hard they are to beat and Fremantle played exceptionally well,” he said.

“We know we’re up for a challenge.

“Always when you play against Ross Lyon-led sides you know it’s going to be a real fierce battle and we’re expecting no different on Saturday afternoon.”