WITH a full list to choose from, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson is bracing for a high-quality, high-stakes preliminary final against Geelong at the MCG on Friday night.

Live wire Cyril Rioli showed no ill-effects of his troublesome ankle during the light 45-minute session, so Clarkson was preparing for a tough match committee session before finalising the side to take on the Cats.

"Preliminary finals are like the quarter finals and semi finals of (tennis) Grand Slams, they're usually crackers of games," he said before training at Waverley Park.

"Its pretty difficult. No one goes into a preliminary final thinking they've got it made and they're going to just roll through.

"There's a big prize at the end of it. It's a heavyweight bout to win through to the Grand Final."

As difficult as the selection meeting will be for Clarkson, it will also be pleasant in another respect because he has 30 players fit and available to play. Rioli returns, as does Lance Franklin from suspension.

"It is always a tough time of the year but we enter the season with our eyes wide open. We need 22 to play and we have 30 who are all available and ready to play to get the job done.

"We'll pick the best team to beat Geelong tomorrow night," he said.

Clarkson added that the Hawks had followed a similar routine to last year when they also had a week's break after winning the qualifying final.

"We're ready to go," he said. "We feel like we have had a really good preparation but the proof will be in the pudding tomorrow night."