ALASTAIR Clarkson says veteran forward Paul Puopolo is still making an important contribution to Hawthorn, and isn't being solely judged on his scoreboard impact.

Puopolo is a Hawks life member and played an integral role in the flag three-peat from 2013-15, forming a lethal small forward combination with stars Cyril Rioli and Luke Breust.

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

The out-of-contract 31-year-old's goalkicking and tackling numbers this season are similar to the 2013 season, except he is winning six fewer possessions and typically playing closer to goal.

Another difference is Hawthorn's scoring exploits six years ago, when they averaged a League-high 114.7 points, compared to this year being ranked 14th at 77.2.

We've never measured him really on the goals that have been scored - Alastair Clarkson on Paul Puopolo

That's one reason why Puopolo's seven goals in 13 matches stand out, especially with Rioli retired, his replacement Chad Wingard regularly sidelined and Breust down on last year's All Australian form.

The Hawks don't have the same aerial presence as back then, either, making life more difficult for all of their small forwards.

Paul Puopolo's numbers by season

"We don't rate (our small forwards) on the goals they necessarily kick, but on their function within the team and the support he gives to his teammates and the structures we've got," Clarkson said.

"So we've never measured him really on the goals that have been scored, and neither have we with Cyril and those guys.

"He continues to make a contribution for us in important areas of the game and while we think he's doing that, then he'll continue to stay in the side."

Clarkson has spoken all season about his side's scoring woes and tried various different combinations, including James Sicily returning to the forward line, without much success.

Another goalsneak, Ollie Hanrahan, will make his AFL debut on Saturday against West Coast, while untried 193cm forward Jackson Ross has an equal share of the VFL goalkicking lead.

Mitch Lewis has spent the past fortnight at state league level and will play there again, while Jarryd Roughead (side strain) goes out just one week after regaining his senior spot.

"(Ross) has been playing some good footy and he'll get his chance when we think he's ready and the balance of our side is ready to have him come into the side," Clarkson said.

"We have another debutant this week in Ollie Hanrahan, who's been playing at Box Hill level for the best part of two-and-a-half years now and … and we think he's ready to play.

"Rossy's shown over the course of the year, too, that he's not too far away as well, so that's exciting for our club that these young players … are going to get their chance at senior level."

Hawthorn remains pretty competitive despite its win-loss record slumping to 5-8, but Clarkson said inconsistency within matches was a major problem.

"We just haven't been able to put the full four quarters together, so that's a key goal for us and a part of where we're at as a side now," he said.

"Until we can actually improve that, then we're probably going to stay in the middle of the ladder.

"When we start to become a consistent side, regularly winning three quarters in a game, or even all four quarters, then we're going to be winning games of footy and getting ourselves back up the ladder."

Find In the Game on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify