ALASTAIR Clarkson has given the strongest indication yet that Jarryd Roughead is unlikely to receive a farewell game with the veteran coach indicating there were other ways for the Hawks to honour the former captain.

The Hawks stayed in the race for the finals with an impressive 56-point triumph over the Giants in difficult wintry conditions in Canberra on Friday night and Clarkson said after the match there were no plans in place for Roughead to play in the final two games of the regular season.

"He knows the history of our club," Clarkson said of Roughead.

"He knows we are on to the next generation of players at our club and he is prepared to do whatever is required for our club to move forward.

"He knows he has had his time in the sun and it is time for the next generation of players to come through.

"He has had an unbelievably decorated career for our football club and we can send him out in different ways other than having a farewell game."

HAWKS PLAY IN THE SNOW Full match coverage and stats

Roughead has played just seven matches at senior level this season and his most recent appearance in the brown and gold came way back in round 14 when the Hawks lost to the Swans at the SCG.

Indifferent form at VFL level over the past month has seen Roughead manage just two goals from his last four appearances and the emergence of key forwards Mitchell Lewis and Tim O'Brien is making it hard for the 32-year-old to win back his place.

Lewis picked up a corkie to his hip and took another knock to his already heavily strapped shoulder during Friday night's clash and Clarkson said this could provide a glimmer of hope for Roughead.

"Mitch Lewis hurt his shoulder," Clarkson confirmed.

"He got a bit of a stinger and if that doesn't pull up too well, he (Roughead) might play next week.

"Rough has got a game to play at Werribee tomorrow, if he plays OK and we need him, we will play him.

"But he is also very understanding if that is not to be the case then it won't be."

WATCH Alastair Clarkson's full post-match media conference

The Hawks' victory in Canberra was their second triumph over the Giants in 2019, after they did the job in similar fashion at the MCG in round eight.

It also provides the Hawks with a chance to still feature in September, with Clarkson's side requiring victories against the Suns (home) and the Eagles (away) over the next fortnight to have any chance of sneaking into the top eight.

Clarkson believes the future is bright for his young side and hopes Hawthorn fans have similar sentiments.

"We get a lot of confidence out of the way we played tonight," Clarkson said.

"They were unusual conditions and we adapted to them well.

"We are pleased with the track we are heading and hopefully we are showing our supporters back at home there is something to be excited about in the future of this football club."