As reported by Fairfax Media, Clark has told friends he was severely "embarrassed" by reports he was verbally sledged about his depression during the match, describing the incident as "water off a duck's back", that he was disappointed the story had become public and that he did not want the incident investigated by the AFL.

Lake had been mentioned as the player who had allegedly sledged the Cats' forward, a claim he has vehemently denied.

Ahead of the Hawks' light training session on Saturday, Clarkson was clearly disappointed that Lake's name had been mentioned.

"They are simply allegations. There have been no investigation by either the league or Geelong - so (we're) better off leaving it at that, I reckon," he said.

Asked if he was disappointed about the allegations, he replied: "I am disappointed for Lakey. It's a bit difficult to clear your name when it has already been put out there. I know through speaking with him and other players that he said nothing of the sort.

"So, to have his name smeared by people who just alleged he had said something, it makes it more difficult.

"Anyway, there has been no investigation so we are just better off getting on to next week's game and focusing on Essendon rather than last week."

Clarkson did not wish to elaborate when asked whether he was more frustrated that Lake's name had been mentioned despite his denials or that Cats skipper Joel Selwood had confirmed on The Footy Show that Clark had been sledged, although Selwood did not say by whom.

"Let's leave it at that. We have addressed the issue," Clarkson said.

Having questioned Lake and fellow defender James Frawley, the Hawks have been unable to shed any light on the issue. The Cats will not lodge a formal complaint.

While conducting a series of radio interviews on Saturday, AFL chief Gillon McLachlan said the incident was a warning to all clubs.

"I think there are areas people can't go, that's just one of them but, ultumately, it's about Mitch Clark's health and wellbeing and he wants to move on," McLachlan said.

"I think that's the right outcome but I think the competition is on notice about that issue.

"What actually happened, there is confusion about that. And where it should go ... what's clear is that he (Clark) wants to move on and think about the footy this week.

"I just know there is confusion about how the allegation was even raised."

Essendon great Matthew Lloyd said any player who sledged another over mental illness issues had "crossed the line".

Having begun their premiership defence with a crunching 62-point win, the efficient Hawks turn their attention to the Bombers on Sunday.

The Bombers are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their back-to-back premierships over the Hawks, but Clarkson and his men are in no mood for sentiment.

"We don't faze ourselves with that too much. We know that it is another stepping stone towards us getting a victory and helping us to secure enough wins to get ourselves into a finals position and then take it from there," he said.

The Hawks have been dubbed something akin to the ultimate football side, such is their strength and depth in most areas of the ground. However, as they seek a three-peat of premierships, Clarkson isn't interested in praise.

"We never expected the game to unfold in that sort of manner against the Cats. Our history against that side had been that we had really, really close games and, certainly, at quarter-time the indications were it was going to be the same," Clarkson said.

"It unfolded a little bit differently than what had occurred beforehand but we got a different opponent, a different set of circumstances this week.

"Essendon were fabulous for the best part of the game last week. Sydney are a very, very good side and are hard to hold down for four quarters. We are going to need to play somewhere near our best to get the job done this week."

The Hawks have made two changes. Liam Shiels (hamstring) is injured and Josh Gibson has been rested because of general soreness. Taylor Duryea, initially dropped before a decision on Saturday afternoon had been made on Gibson, has reclaimed his spot. Rebounding defender Grant Birchall returns, while former Greater Western Sydney Giant Jono O'Rourke steps out for the first time with his new club.

"He (O'Rourke) is a talented player and we liked him as a junior but we couldn't get access to those early picks in the draft. That was always going to make it difficult," Clarkson said.

"When there was an indication that they might want to come home, then we were more than keen to see if he wanted to play football at our club. That's the way it panned out."