THE HAWKS will use their preliminary final heartbreak as motivation across the pre-season, with their round one rematch with Collingwood firmly on the radar, says young midfielder Liam Shiels.

The Hawks and the Magpies will lock horns on March 30 in a Friday night blockbuster at the MCG, after producing one of the most thrilling finals in the game's history last month.

Shiels, 20, said the Hawks' three-point loss to the Pies - which came after they led nearly all night and by 17 points at three-quarter time - was set to inspire the players across the summer months as they looked to atone for the narrow defeat.

"It's obviously still pretty disappointing. It kind of burns in your gut a little bit," Shiels told AFL.com.au this week, in the lead up to the first International Rules Test against Ireland at Etihad Stadium.

"It's still a long way away but probably the whole pre-season will be based around attacking them round one.

"We'll just use that as fuel for next season and have a massive pre-season and hit 2012 head on."

The full 2012 fixture will be released on AFL.com.au at 9.30am this Friday.

On a personal note, Shiels had a terrific season to be one of just two Hawks - along with defender Josh Gibson - to play every game.

He easily topped the team for tackles with 150 (second was Brad Sewell with 114), and came seventh in the League overall. 

"I really enjoyed playing this season. There were a few other young boys, Shane Savage and Ryan Schoenmakers coming through as well," he said, of his third year in the competition.

"They were in my draft so it was good to play alongside them, as well as with superstars of the competition like Sam Mitchell and Buddy Franklin.

"I really enjoyed it this year. I was pretty lucky; didn't get too many injuries, touch wood, and it was good to play every game."

Despite falling at the final hurdle before the Grand Final, Shiels says the Hawks have the confidence they can take that next step in 2012.

With young players such as Savage, Luke Breust, Isaac Smith, Matt Suckling and Paul Puopolo all making headway this season, he believes there is plenty to suggest the Hawks will be well-placed heading into next year.

"We've got a pretty young side so we'll be looking to develop more next year and hopefully finish top four and go from there," he said.