Trent Croad's disappointment at missing a long goal which could well have propelled Hawthorn into the 2001 AFL grand final has finally evaporated.

A young forward back then, Croad's kick in the preliminary final against Essendon might have given the Hawks enough momentum to carry them into the season decider against Brisbane.

The raking kick from outside 50 metres smashed into the goalpost and Croad was left to rue what might have been.

But now, as the side prepares to take on reigning premier Geelong he has dispelled those lingering negative thoughts.

"I was 21 back then and I see it as a positive, the fact that you get asked that question, because you're in that position again but we've progressed further," Croad said.

"This is all new, it's exciting.

"I do think about that in my mind but I've got a whole lot of new teammates and I'm involved with a fantastic group of guys.

"They really want this and they'll be doing everything they can to hopefully play really, really well."

Croad has dismissed any concerns that he might be hampered by a bruised foot which has kept him on the sidelines recently.

Describing his foot as "really good," he said he was unlikely to be troubled by the problem.

"Obviously I pulled up a little bit sore as I was going to after the game (against St Kilda on Saturday night) but I'm doing all the right things possible.

"It's still early, it's still Monday. Towards the end of the week you get a really good gauge on any particular injury you've got but I'm well on top of it," he said.

"I can play through a game like I did on the weekend and it's really of no concern at the moment and in finals football all the little niggles, the pain, seems to go away."

He said the Hawks planned a light training buildup to the weekend and remained confident defender Luke Hodge will rebound from a solid knock to the ribs last Saturday.

"Luke will definitely play, that's just a normal day in the life of Luke," Croad said. "He's a good, tough Colac boy and he tells us that the Colac boys don't feel pain.

"He'll be fine. It's the way he plays his football, it's the way he contributes to the team and he plays his role in helping us all out in that way.

"It's just a common week for Hodgey to be bashing and crashing into packs. Nothing much fazes him.

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