HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson has highlighted late inclusion James Cousins' tagging job on Zach Merrett as an example of what is possible when faith is shown in youth. 

Cousins, a 20-year-old in his sixth match, was the first of two late additions to the Hawks' squad and impressively kept Essendon's All Australian midfielder to only 17 disposals and one clearance. 

BOMBERS V HAWKS: Full match coverage and stats

Merrett had a slow start to the season, but was averaging more than 30 possessions in his past three outings, with Clarkson saying Cousins' effort was "a real feather in 'Cuz's' cap". 

Hawthorn, like fellow modern powerhouses Geelong and Sydney, has increasingly turned to young players since last season and is seeing the benefits in moving to a 5-2 record on Saturday.

ARE THE DONS ALREADY DONE? Five talking points

Clarkson is embracing the challenge and coached from the bench from about the midway point of each term to deliver face-to-face feedback to his inexperienced troops, in particular. 

James Worpel, Cousins and Harry Morrison have played six games or fewer, while none of James Sicily, Tim O'Brien, Daniel Howe, Ryan Burton and Blake Hardwick have reached 50.

"We're still growing as a side," Clarkson said. 

"There's been a lot of change to our side in the last 18 months to two years, which is why I feel the need, right at this point of time and at different stages, to be down on the interchange bench with those youngsters. 

"It's really encouraging; like young Cousins got a role today on Merrett, which was only decided on about an hour before the game when (Ricky) Henderson withdrew. 

"He, on very little preparation, has come in and done a role for us on a very important player for the Essendon side." 

WATCH: Alastair Clarkson's full post-match media conference

Sicily's growing pains as a player were reflected in two suspensions in the first five rounds, but he demonstrated his brilliance with his latest best-on-ground performance in his return. 

The 'low-five' taunt he issued to Joe Daniher after a 55m goal in the third quarter was more evidence of his youthful exuberance.

Clarkson insisted he didn't see Sicily's cheeky celebration, only saying it was "probably a good one to miss". 

WATCH: Composed Sicily controls down back

"I don't think there's anyone in the competition now that doubts the capacity he's got as a player and he's really important for us," the coach said. 

"As we saw today, he played well and we're much better off having him on the field than in the grandstand and he knows that – I've spoken to him about it.

"It's just a learning curve for him and hopefully he learns from his misdemeanours and continues to progress as a player." 

A not-so-young member of Clarkson's squad also fired a shot in the 23-point win, with captain Jarryd Roughead – who has been down in a number of categories this year – performing a starring role.

"To the outside observer, he perhaps didn't have a significant contribution last week, because probably with 'Roughy' you keep looking at the goals tally to see whether he's kicked any and he hasn't," Clarkson said.

"But he played a lot of midfield time for us last week – not as much this week – and that's where he got his opportunities this week, in terms of kicking three (goals)… 

"In terms of the Roughead from what we know of his first 250 games; is he playing at that level right at the moment? No. 

"But we think he's tracking along OK in terms of what we require from him as the leader."