HAWTHORN reshaped the dimensions of its training ground at Waverley this week in order to prepare for the unique shape of Domain Stadium ahead of Friday night's preliminary final against Fremantle.

The Hawks have played at the venue twice since round 19, both times against West Coast, for one win and one loss.

Assistant coach Cameron Bruce said the move was designed to help the players become accustomed to the bigger dimensions of Domain Stadium.

Match preview: First preliminary final, Dockers v Hawks

"With experience you get better," Bruce said on Thursday afternoon. 

"We redesigned our ground at Waverley throughout the week and the boys trained with the different dimensions, and that was beneficial.

"And playing here the amount of times we have this season is obviously also beneficial, so we think we're prepared for what we're coming up against."

The Hawks held a light training run at Domain Stadium in front of a small but vocal group of supporters, the players doing end-to-end ball movement drills followed by some goalkicking. 

Midfielder Isaac Smith did extra work gathering ground balls at the end of the session, but does not appear to have any issues with the knee he injured against Carlton in round 23. 

Bruce said the Hawks would need to start well against Fremantle as the Dockers are the best first-quarter team in the competition this year.

"You always want to get off to a good start in big games," Bruce said.

"Fremantle are really good starters and it's going to be important to do that tomorrow night."