Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has called on his team to be as ruthlessly efficient as Collingwood as they prepare for the AFL finals.

The Hawks cruised to a 46-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday at the MCG, extending their lead at every break in the 16.17 (113) to 10.7 (67) regulation result.

The Bulldogs alternated Josh Hill and Daniel Cross as a loose man in defence for much of the game and the Hawks doubled the inside 50s, 65 to 32.

But Clarkson was not happy about some of their patterns of play a fortnight out from the finals.

He also noted that the evening before, top side Collingwood had taken Fremantle apart in similar circumstances.

"We'd like to think we could have the same sort of attitude and approach, to be able to be clinical and win games," Clarkson said.

"We did it reasonably comfortably in terms of the end ... but at different stages throughout the course of the game, it wasn't comfortable in terms of the pattern of play that we used.

"They got some easy goals that allowed them to stay in the contest."

Overall Clarkson was happy, noting the Hawks won clearances and contested possessions.

Perhaps just as important, Cyril Rioli's corked calf was their only injury worry as they await the potential returns of Ben Stratton and Brent Renouf for the finals.

Star midfielder Sam Mitchell was a late withdrawal with a knee injury, but he is expected to return for next Saturday's game on the Gold Coast.

Grant Birchall and Brent Guerra were excellent across half-back and Brad Sewell was solid around the stoppages, while youngster Paul Puopolo continues to impress.

"What you really like about him is he wins 50-50 contests and he's a great competitor," Clarkson said of Puopolo.

Bulldogs caretaker coach Paul Williams noted his team had 10 players with fewer than 20 games experience.

The 'Dogs worked hard enough, but rarely looked capable of threatening.

"You learn a lot - we have some work to do though," Williams said.

Robert Murphy was again outstanding off half-back and while Lance Franklin kicked five goals for the Hawks, Lukas Markovic was far from disgraced on this year's Coleman Medallist.

Barry Hall kicked four goals, but spent more time than usual on the bench as his retirement looms.

"He's sore and he's sore and he's creaky - all that sort of stuff," Williams said.

Adding to their injury woes, Easton Wood (ankle) was a late withdrawal and Ayce Cordy suffered a suspected broken hand.

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