Clarkson’s not buying end of era

HAWTHORN’S premiership campaign for 2016 is over but their golden era of success won’t end with Friday night’s semi-final loss to the Western Bulldogs, says Alastair Clarkson.

The Hawks’ were overrun by the Bulldogs in the second half at the MCG, Luke Beveridge’s side thwarting Hawthorn’s bid to equal the record of four premierships in a row, set by Jock McHale’s Collingwood from 1927 to 1930.

“I know what the papers are going to say ... they’ll say that it’s the end of an era,” Clarkson said after the 23-point loss.

“‘They’re too old and too slow’ but we’ll just have a little bit of a break, reload and get going again.

“They’re a proud group and we know we’ve got some improving to do as a side ... but they’ve always been a group that rolls the sleeves up and tries to improve every day.”

The Hawks looked set to break the game open at 23 points up early in the second quarter but the Dogs clawed back to within one at half-time.

Then Hawthorn were powerless to stop a run of six goals in the third quarter that set up the Dogs’ preliminary final clash against Greater Western Sydney.

Premiership stars like Luke Hodge, Josh Gibson and Jordan Lewis didn’t have their usual influence but Clarkson believes his club – having blooded seven new players this season – won’t have to rely so heavily on those veterans to keep his team in premiership calculations in 2017.

He also pointed to the possible return of full-forward Jarryd Roughead from cancer treatment next season and added the Hawks would look to improve their list through the trade period.

Young Gold Coast star Jaeger O’Meara could prove a huge boost, but Clarkson admitted there was much water to go under the bridge before he arrived at the club.