Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson insists keeping clear of the chasing pack hunting top spot isn't a motivator for his AFL side.

The Hawks are a game clear of Sydney, Adelaide, GWS Giants and Geelong on top of the league and face eighth-placed North Melbourne on Saturday, but Clarkson says its just "another game of home-and-away footy".

"They're building blocks towards finals ... it goes without saying every game is important but this one is no more important than last week's game or next week's game," he told said on Friday.