HAWTHORN defender Josh Gibson has warned there will be no chance of complacency setting in, despite sitting two games clear at the top of the ladder.

The Hawks appear to be on track for a top-two finish, but Gibson said the Hawks would not be looking too far ahead.

"From past experience we know that if you look too far ahead you'll miss out," he said.

"We've seen in the past how important top four is, and last year we definitely needed it, so our focus just has to remain on top four.

"It is tight and you can't afford to drop games. The minute you look ahead you'll stumble."

The Hawks beat Richmond by 70 points last round and face Carlton for the first time since ex-Hawthorn assistant Brendon Bolton took the coaching reins this Saturday.

"He's going about it in his own way. You can see he's changed some things about their footy and they're playing some really good footy this year," Gibson said.

"He knows a little bit about Hawthorn but we've got to evolve and change each year, so we're doing it a lot different to when he was last inside the walls of this place."

Meanwhile, Gibson said he wasn't worried about whether he signed a new one-year contract extension before finals.

The 32-year-old appears certain to be offered a new deal, with the Hawks also set to extend the careers of skipper Luke Hodge and 33-year-old Shaun Burgoyne.

"Doesn't faze me when it gets done, I just want to continue on with solid form and making sure I'm doing everything right for the side," Gibson said.

Speculation around Bradley Hill’s future won’t affect the Hawks, says Gibson.

It was revealed at the weekend that Hill had met with Fremantle coach Ross Lyon about a possible trade back to WA to play alongside his brother, Stephen.

While the speedster won't make a decision on his future until the end of the Hawks' premiership quest, Gibson said players are more understanding about player movement than ever before.

"You look at the way Hilly played. I think it was great for him to get it off his chest, he was relaxed when he played on the weekend and he's got an important role to play for us leading forward, just as anyone else in the side does," Gibson said.

"Footy's changing. The way the draft system and free agency ... all those things are changing and there's going to be different scenarios that you didn't see 10 years ago.

"You've just got to deal with them. We're dealing with this one. We're happy with the way it's going.

"As I said, we're not going to keep talking about it.

"He's got a job to do – as do we – and it was really pleasing that he did that on the weekend."