Feted free agent James Frawley is set to join reigning AFL premiers Hawthorn.

Frawley confirmed on Wednesday he was leaving Melbourne, having put contract talks on hold in January.

The free agency window opens on Friday, with Frawley set to join the back-to-back premiers on a lucrative deal.

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Geelong were considered the early frontrunners for Frawley’s services, but instead they have lured retired Demon Mitch Clark to the Cattery.

Given the departure of Lance Franklin, the Hawks have enough salary cap space to accommodate Frawley.

The 26-year-old had an inconsistent season this year as speculation about his future swirled, but the swingman’s potential is underlined by the fact he was named in the 2010 All Australian side.

Frawley is expected to reinforce Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson’s defensive stocks, joining veterans Brian Lake and Josh Gibson in the back line.

Lake, who has won a flag in each of his two years at Hawthorn, signed a one-year contract extension for 2015 on Thursday.

“Brian has contributed exactly what we wanted over the past two years, and has finished this season in good form,” Hawthorn recruiting and list manager Graham Wright said.

Clarkson reaffirmed the Hawks’ interest in Frawley on Wednesday.

“There’s a lot of things that have got to occur over the next few days if that was to occur,” Clarkson told reporters in Hobart.

“We’re probably a little bit behind the eightball given we’ve had a campaign to concentrate on in terms of trying to win a grand final.

“We’ll see how that materialises over the next week.”

-AAP