THE INEXPERIENCE of Hawthorn's lesser lights is often overlooked amid the club's dominant season, coach Alastair Clarkson says.
Blake Hardwick became the fifth Hawthorn player to debut in 2016 during Saturday's 19-point win over Carlton in Launceston, continuing a trend Clarkson described as "exciting" for the club.
With star forward Cyril Rioli a late withdrawal, 19-year-old Hardwick was given his chance and added to the talented youth on show for the Hawks in front of a bumper crowd at Aurora Stadium.
"We had a pretty young side in a sense," Clarkson said post-match.
"In terms of one to four-year players, we had more playing the game than Carlton and everyone talks about Carlton being a young side.
"We were actually a little bit more inexperienced than they were in the bottom end."
The fact the Hawks are sitting two games clear atop the ladder and are firmly in the hunt for a fourth successive premiership is perhaps even more remarkable given their ability to blood young players along the way.
WATCH: Alastair Clarkson's full post-match media conference
"It is a challenge but it's exciting for our club," Clarkson said. "We've got a very proud group of players who want to continue to win, but it's great for these young players to come into a winning system and winning culture and try to master their craft that way.
"It just takes them some time."
Hardwick was "a bit stiff" not to convert a couple of chances on goal, according to his coach, but performed well overall after being given the nod due to Rioli's tight quad.
"He fumbled a couple of balls he'd usually catch, but he was exciting for us at different stages. He's a strong body, tackles well and he can mark the ball," Clarkson said.
"He was just a bit stiff. He had a couple of opportunities to convert but conditions were tough.
"Our boys were delighted that he got a chance."
Both Rioli and fellow small-forward Paul Puopolo are expected to return for the Hawks against Melbourne next week and Clarkson was quick to reject the suggestion that the club may look to rest players during the run-in to the finals.
"We've been down the track of trying to rest players and trying to fiddle around with that but it hasn't worked for us," he said.
"It will be situations like today. If Rioli's not quite right he doesn't play, but if they're right to play they'll continue on."
