COACH Alastair Clarkson wasn't perturbed with the team's defeat in Launceston on Saturday but instead declared himself pleased with how his young Hawks, minus half a dozen regular players, have conducted themselves in the pre-season to date.

The Hawks could hold their heads high despite bowing out of the pre-season competition at Aurora Stadium where Carlton won 1.9.12 (75) to 2.7.8 (68),

A philosophical Clarkson said: "We overused the footy. We've got a young group of players and Carlton were polished on the night," Clarkson said.

"They were a little bit more experienced when it mattered in the last quarter.

"We've been really pleased with our campaign and it gives us an opportunity over the next two or three weeks to settle our side for round one against Brisbane."

Carlton led by 10 points at half-time and eight points at three-quarter time, before Hawthorn levelled things up early in the final term with a Shane Crawford nine-point supergoal.

But after three straight behinds to the Blues, they finally gave themselves some breathing space when onballer Andrew Carrazzo took a mark and kicked a pressure goal with a little over five minutes left.

Hawthorn poured on the pressure late, but Carlton's midfield stood firm.

For the Hawks, Sam Mitchell was outstanding with 31 possessions, while young forward Tim Boyle impressed with three goals.

Hawks wunderkind Lance Franklin also kicked three - though he was more subdued than in his five-goal haul the previous week thanks to the close-checking of Carlton's Jarrad Waite.

CARLTON 1.3.1 1.5.6 1.8.9 1.9.12 (75)

HAWTHORN 0.4.4 0.5.5 1.7.6 2.7.8 (68)

GOALS: Carlton: Nine-point goals: M Murphy. Goals: B Fevola 2 C Ackland 2 A Carrazzo 2 B Fisher J Kennedy E Betts. Hawthorn: Nine-point goals: S Crawford C Young. Goals: T Boyle 3 L Franklin 3 M Little.

BEST: Carlton: N Stevens B Fevola M Murphy C Ackland H Scotland A Carrazzo. Hawthorn: S Mitchell S Crawford T Boyle J Lewis B Sewell.

INJURIES: Nil.

REPORTS: Nil.

CROWD: 15,412, at Aurora Stadium.

with AAP