IT IS impossible to predict what to expect from Hawthorn next year.

The Hawks' effort to rebound from four humbling defeats to start last season and be back in the top four entering the 2018 finals series was a none-too-subtle reminder of their quality.

But a second straight-sets post-season exit in three years was a reminder, too, that this is a new era for the brown and gold.

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Alastair Clarkson bemoaned after Melbourne sent his side packing on Friday night how being without Jaeger O'Meara, Ben Stratton, Grant Birchall and Cyril Rioli was a bridge too far.

Far from whingeing, this was the four-time premiership coach delivering brutal honesty about the state of Hawthorn's list.

"I think probably tonight we saw that we're just lacking a bit of quality and polish at the bottom end," Clarkson said.

"With Birchall, O'Meara, Stratton (out), and you lose (Cyril) Rioli prematurely, just in a list that's changed pretty significantly in the last 18 months, it cuts pretty deep."

Clarkson went into two cut-throat finals trusting an Irishman in Conor Nash, who hadn't played an AFL game until round 21 this year.

James Worpel featured in game No.10 against the Demons, Harry Morrison was in his 21st match, and Blake Hardwick was a relative veteran in his 43rd.

Another youngster, Dan Howe, brought up his half-century on the night, but missed the last five contests in the home and away season because of dual suspensions.

In better circumstances, Howe might have struggled to break back into the Hawks' line-up at this late stage. Instead, he was a must-selection.

That's just where Hawthorn is at.

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After the loss, Clarkson ruled out his ageing captain Jarryd Roughead playing out his career elsewhere, but he isn't the only veteran still with great – perhaps too much – responsibility.

Shaun Burgoyne, 36 in October, Paul Puopolo, 31 in December, and James Frawley, 30 next week, have re-signed for the 2019 season, while Birchall, 31 in January, comes out of contract next year.

Ricky Henderson was on the wrong side of 30 as of Tuesday, and Isaac Smith will be the same age in late December.

The Hawks did a brilliant job effectively turning Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell into Tom Mitchell and O'Meara in a ruthless 2016 NAB AFL Trade Period.

Decisions once criticised are now viewed as masterstrokes, even though O'Meara wasn't there for their time of need on Friday night because of another knee injury (this time to his 'good' one).

Both midfielders will be pivotal to any ongoing Hawthorn success.

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An indication on the club's short-term prospects will arise in about a month's time, once the NAB AFL Trade Period wraps up.

The Hawks appear to have lost the race for Tom Lynch to Richmond, but are considered a contender for Greater Western Sydney star Dylan Shiel, who would fit in wonderfully to the on-ball division.

There has even been some chatter about Tom Scully. Hawthorn remains a destination club for wantaway stars.

There is a decent platform for the Hawks to build upon beyond just Mitchell and O'Meara.

James Sicily is a genuine star and probably would have joined teammates Jack Gunston and Luke Breust in the All Australian squad if not for breaking his right wrist in round 17.

Jarman Impey provides breakneck speed, Teia Miles is developing nicely, and Ryan Burton was runner-up in last year's NAB AFL Rising Star award, although he didn't progress as expected this season.

Outside of the senior regulars, the aptly named Mitch Lewis – the 'booby prize' out of the Lewis and Mitchell trades two years ago – looks part of the solution in attack.

Lewis, at 198cm, has booted 37 goals in 17 VFL games in 2018 and snuck in two AFL outings, while midfielder James Cousins routinely racks up 30-plus disposals at state league level and is ready to go.

List decisions loom on the likes of Taylor Duryea, Jono O'Rourke, Ryan Schoenmakers, Marc Pittonet, Kieran Lovell and Brendan Whitecross.

But it's in October when Hawthorn will try to patch some holes and wheel and deal its way back into the AFL's upper echelon.