HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson was never going to be too bullish publicly about his returning key forward Mitch Lewis on Friday night.

It's not Clarkson's way, especially when quizzed on his young players in isolation.

His appraisal of Lewis' return to AFL ranks against Collingwood – after a month back in the VFL – included it being a "pretty good effort" and that he's "making some progress".

The 20-year-old's ninth senior game saw him gather 16 disposals, take seven marks (three contested) and kick 2.1. 

The second of those goals was a steady set shot in the last quarter that gave his Hawks the lead for the first time – and for good, as they won by four points – to stamp him once more as their forward of the future.

Indeed, Lewis probably deserves to be the present, too, with Jarryd Roughead's career winding down and All Australian Jack Gunston continuing his season-long struggles.

HAWKS v MAGPIES Full match coverage and stats

"He's still got plenty to learn, but he's getting exposure to a level," Clarkson said of Lewis.

"He's giving himself a chance every game now to get two or three shots at goal, which is important for us and important for him, and any key forward that's trying to find their way in the game – you're not getting many more than two or three shots at goal.

"It's just so difficult at senior level. It takes a long time to learn the game, and as we've seen with the way the game's evolved over the last 15 or 20 years, big key forwards aren't kicking big swags of goals. 

"So if you're getting two or three, four shots at goal early in your career it's a pretty good effort … (and) we've been pleased with his progress.

"Like all young players, he's been a bit up and down and a bit in and out in terms of whether he's playing senior footy or not, but he's making some progress." 

Lewis flies for a contested mark against the Magpies. Picture: AFL Photos

Lewis' performance was all the more noteworthy, given Hawthorn's vast and ongoing experimentation in attack, which even included playing star defender James Sicily there for a fortnight.

The Hawks are still to hit triple digits in season 2019, but in this kid they have a key plank in which to build upon.

WATCH Alastair Clarkson's full post-match press conference 

For Clarkson and co., this is what the club is trying to achieve more than anything else right now, particularly after telling reporters on Thursday that "you're either first or you're nothing".

The four-time premiership coach is on the hunt for a fifth.

Hawk James Sicily was among the best afield on Friday night. Picture: AFL Photos

"We've been through, in my time here, over the 15 years, two waves, of which we've risen to the top of the mountain both those times – one in 2008, and then the era from '13 to '15," he said. 

"Without a doubt we're in that transition again; to find our next wave of success for our footy club. When's that going to be? I'm not too sure.  

"But in 2010, when we were debuting kids like Isaac Smith and Luke Breust and Ben Stratton and Ryan Schoenmakers and Paul Puopolo and these sorts of lads, there were a lot of scribes out there saying they're too skinny and not consistent enough.

"That's just the way of the world until they get exposure to the level enough that they build their confidence to make a contribution on a consistent basis – and that just takes some time." 

Clarkson pointed to defensive trio James Sicily, Jarman Impey and Blake Hardwick as being a major part of any future sustained success. 

WATCH Sicily, Impey get the Hawks going

"I reckon our Hawks supporters would be seeing that there are some kids there who might emerge into good players for us in the next few years," he said. 

"If they go on to be really good players, then we'll give ourselves a chance to win some silverware again in the not-too-distant future."