Hawthorn is undergoing its final training session ahead of Saturday's grand final against Geelong in front of the biggest crowd Waverley has seen since the last AFL match at the venue in 1999.

A crowd of more than 10,000 is watching the Hawks train. Fans began arriving as early as 8.30 on Thursday morning for the session, which began at 10.45am.

Several players that did not take part in the preliminary final are training, with Hawthorn assistant coach Damien Hardwick saying that ruckman Simon Taylor, midfielder Tim Clarke and defender Tom Murphy are all in contention to come into the side.

The Hawks' toughest selection decision appears to be who to take in as the back-up ruckman to Robert Campbell. Brent Renouf and the more experienced Taylor, who has lost his place to Renouf in the past three games, are vying for the position.

Murphy - who was left out of the preliminary final win over St Kilda in favour of Stephen Gilham - could also come into the side specifically to play on reigning Norm Smith Medal winner Steve Johnson.

Meanwhile, Hardwick declared wingman Clinton Young, one of the stars of last week's win over the Saints, a certain starter after he pulled up sore with leg problems following last Saturday night's win.

Young is training with the rest of the squad, along with inspirational vice-captain Luke Hodge, who is also a certain starter despite injuring his ribs against the Saints.

Hardwick, a premiership player with Essendon and Port Adelaide, is one of the few members of the Hawks' playing or coaching staff with previous grand final experience.

He said the club was coping well in the build-up to the club's first grand final since 1991.