HAWTHORN may have avoided a stunning upset loss but interim coach Brendon Bolton believes his side showed great resilience in holding off Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.
The Hawks were challenged for much of the contest, leading by a solitary point at the final change before holding off a late fightback from last year's wooden-spooners to come away with a seven-point win at the MCG.
"Although it wasn't our best game of footy, we were really pleased that we showed some resilience and toughed it out," Bolton said after the match.
Souring the victory was David Hale's quad injury, which adds to the Hawks' broadening injury toll.
The club would not elaborate on the extent of Hale's issue but a quad strain could sideline him for next Saturday’s clash with West Coast in Launceston.
However, early indications are Jordan Lewis, who was a late withdrawal with adductor soreness, would be fit to play against the Eagles.
Lewis and Hale are additions to a wording Hawthorn injury list that also includes Sam Mitchell (hamstring), Ben McEvoy (hamstring), Brian Lake (calf), Josh Gibson (pectoral), Ben Stratton (groin) and Cyril Rioli (hamstring).
At least the Hawks avoided a potentially embarrassing and costly loss against GWS.
Hawthorn halved the contested ball count (155-155) but lost the clearances (52-46) and were outhunted by their inexperienced opponents, who laid 104 tackles to 81.
With premiership coach Alastair Clarkson in hospital after he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), an enthusiastic Bolton said he learned a lot from his first time in the hot seat.
"I thought I gave it my best. I’ll look back and see what I can change but time and hindsight tells you that," he said.
"How good is it to coach your own side? You can be an assistant as long as you like … (but) you don't get any better development than coaching your own side. I'm excited by that opportunity."
Bolton said Clarkson had granted his assistants - Bolton, Brett Ratten, Cameron Bruce and Luke Beveridge - "complete autonomy" for the match against the Giants.
Bolton said Clarkson, depending on his health, would offer advice if it was needed.
"The one thing he did do was that he said ‘I’m always a phone call away’,” Bolton said.
"But in the coming weeks we'll be directed by his doctors and his wife as to how much input he has and that'll play itself out."
Bolton praised the efforts of some of his young Hawks, including Angus Litherland, who was impressive as a late inclusion for Stratton.
"I thought he (Litherland) made some really decisive decisions. He got there and pressed in really quick when he needed to and he has got some genuine speed. In time he is going to be a quality player for us," Bolton said.
The Hawks tweeted late on Sunday that Clarkson had been discharged from hospital. The club will provide an update on Clarkson's health on Monday, with Hawthorn CEO Stuart Fox due to speak at midday.
