HAWTHORN took a "step forward" in its stunning win over ladder-leaders Adelaide, but Alastair Clarkson was quick to pour cold water on any finals talk.

Clarkson all but wrote off a 2017 finals appearance on the eve the match and said the focus was on developing a side which could again push for silverware in the future. 

The master coach maintained this stance after the incredible 14-point upset at Adelaide Oval, but he couldn't hide his pride in the performance. 

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The Hawks entered the match in 17th position with a 4-8 record, a percentage well shy of 80, and with few giving them a chance of toppling a powerful Adelaide line-up. 

The odds of a Hawthorn win looked even slimmer when the Crows kicked three late first-half goals to go to the long break with an 18-point edge. 

But the Hawks upped the stakes in the third term, and  dominated Adelaide in most parts of the ground en route to a stirring triumph, and one which keeps them in the final race. 

"I thought we played terrifically well all game but particularly in the last quarter when the game was on the line," Clarkson said. 

"It was a hostile crowd but we were able to just hang in the contest and drive the ball forward and give ourselves enough chances to win.

"It's just week by week. We've got more important things to worry about (than finals) in terms of the process of sticking to the basics of the game. 

"Those things (finals) will look after themselves. If we play well enough, who knows what will happen, but right now it's just about doing the basics well and seeing how these young guys continue to consolidate their spots in the side."

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Hawthorn's ability to pressure the ball carrier and set-up defensively behind the ball - a trademark during their premiership years - was back on display during the second half. 

It trailed the inside-50 count by 15 at half-time and was down by 18 points, but then racked up 10 straight inside-50s at one point during the third term.

It was pleasing for Clarkson who noted the side took almost doubled its 2017 average of mark's off opposition boots. 

He was also excited by his defence in general and said the return of Luke Hodge and Grant Birchall helped steady up and involve a burgeoning group of youngsters.

WATCH: Alastair Clarkson's full media conference

"I think we saw some of the future of the Hawthorn defence on show tonight with (Kaiden) Brand and (Blake) Hardwick and (James) Sicilly and (Ryan) Burton all playing important roles tonight," Clarkson said. 

"But that's just complimented beautifully by the experience of (Taylor) Duryea and Hodge and Birchall." 

Veteran Shaun Burgoyne produced another stunning performance and Clarkson was non-committal about whether the 34-year-old will play on next year.

"When we recruited him from Port Adelaide I said to him 'unless we get three years out of you Shaun, you're better off staying at Port'."

"I think he's up to (eight) and I hope he just keeps on going. He's a ripper."