A proud Clarkson lauded his players for their even contribution throughout the win, which strengthened the Hawks' grip on top spot and a home qualifying final.
The Magpies had won their past two games, against Essendon and the Sydney Swans, in impressive fashion, making Hawthorn's performance all the more meritorious.
"It was a really tough contest, and it's a nice reminder of what's coming in a few weeks' time," Clarkson said post-match.
"Both sides were really hard at it, and we were pleased that we were able to stand up under the pressure.
"The Pies have been outstanding in the past couple of weeks, so we knew the fight was going to be on tonight.
"We were really proud of our players."
Clarkson referred to last year's finals series, in which the Hawks scraped past Adelaide in the preliminary final before losing to the Swans by 10 points in the Grand Final, as an example of the importance of hitting peak form at the right time.
After flat performances at stages during the season, the ladder leaders must now maintain a high standard until the end of September, Clarkson said.
"We need to play at that type of standard in finals footy, and we didn't do that in the last two games of last year, so that's a significant challenge for us," he said.
"If we can, we know that we're going to be competitive against any side that we come up against.
"But saying it and doing it are two different things.
"We know our most important footy is going to be in the last five or six weeks of the season."
With the inclusions of Lance Franklin, Luke Hodge, Grant Birchall and Max Bailey for Friday night's win, the Hawks are nearing full strength.
Brent Guerra was a late withdrawal with knee soreness, while Liam Shiels is still in the VFL regaining match fitness after an ankle injury.
With 26 disposals in his first game back from a seven-week knee injury, Birchall was excellent, as was Hodge, who bravely returned to the field just a fortnight after fracturing his thumb.
"He's a warrior," Clarkson said of Hodge.
"We love having him as captain of our footy club, and he's so hugely respected not only by his teammates but right around the League for the way he goes about his footy.
"He played he really strong role for us in our back end tonight."
Clarkson said the Hawks had been conservative with Birchall's return, meaning they were confident he could slot straight back in and rediscover his form quickly.
"He's obviously an important player for us," Clarkson said.
"He could have nearly played last week, to be fair, but we just wanted to make sure he was ready.
"It was a big risk, the first game he comes back having such a torrid affair against a really good side, but he'd had a good training block and we wanted to get him back in."
Hawthorn can lock up the minor premiership with a win over North Melbourne next week.
