HAWTHORN legend Peter Knights says Shane Crawford is one of the hardest-working players he has ever seen walk through the doors at Glenferrie.

And he hopes, above all else, that the Hawks can win this week's grand final for the popular veteran.

Knights played 264 games, including three premierships, throughout Hawthorn's glory era of the 70s and 80s alongside stars such as Leigh Matthews, Dermott Brereton, Jason Dunstall, Michael Tuck and Don Scott.

But Knights says Crawford, who he coached at the Hawks in 1994 and 1995, is a man whose application is beyond peer.

"In all of my time around footy, being around Hawthorn for nearly 30 years, I don’t think I’ve seen a player who has worked harder to achieve results than Shane Crawford," Knights said.

"The thing we all know about Crawf is his work ethic. His ability to work hard, train hard has just been an example for all of our young players that you will get the rewards if you put in the work and make the sacrifices."

Knights said a Hawthorn win over Geelong on Saturday would be a fitting tribute to the 34-year-old and his achievements throughout a career that commenced in 1993.

"There’s no doubt this may be his last opportunity. I think there is a bit of sentiment surrounding the whole playing group that this one is a little bit about Crawf as well," he said.

"I'm hoping for Crawf’s sake that he can retire, whether that be that in two years' time, one year's time, whenever, and he will have one of those medallions around his neck because he certainly earnt that right.

"Seventeen years he's been at Hawthorn, he's got all the accolades in the world and he would throw all those out in one quick motion to swap [them] for one premiership medal.

"He is very excited, he's certainly nervous and there are great expectations about this Saturday," Knights added.

"As he said to me yesterday, it's not just about playing in a grand final, here's the opportunity to play in a premiership."

Crawford was just 19 when Knights succeeded Alan Joyce as coach at the end of the 1993, and he made a significant impression – especially during pre-season training.

"I just remember him as a player who would not stop. In fact as a coach we had to pull the reigns in on him a bit and hold him back, tell him to slow down a bit and take a break.

"You don’t get many players you have to tell that to."