ALASTAIR Clarkson has told his players to keep their chins up after Hawthorn's agonising two-point qualifying final loss to Geelong and implored them to make the most of their second chance against the Western Bulldogs.
Clarkson was "disappointed but philosophical" after Friday night's game at the MCG, mindful that if Isaac Smith's post-siren shot at goal had gone through "it would have been us victorious and [the Cats] licking their wounds".
The Hawks coach's focus had also largely shifted to his team's upcoming semi-final clash against the Bulldogs.
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"We've got to move on pretty quickly, we'll get ourselves ready. Last year we went across to the west and got annihilated by West Coast (in a qualifying final) and we were able to bounce back strongly and we're just going to have to do the same sort of thing," Clarkson said.
"There were some positive things about the way that we played tonight and we came up against a really good opponent.
"But we just couldn't nail the opportunities when we had them and we had plenty in the second half of the game in particular."
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Asked whether the Hawks' ability to win last year's premiership after losing their first final against the Eagles would stand them in good stead as they tried to achieve the same feat this year, Clarkson said it was "too hard to say".
"We've only addressed the players in terms of keep their chins up, let's go again," he said.
"This has been a proud group that have committed themselves really well in finals and we just didn't get the job done tonight.
"But, as I said, we get another chance at it, that's the silver lining for us."
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Clarkson spoke to Smith in the rooms after the game and said the hard-running wingman was understandably disappointed about missing his after-the-siren set shot from 35m.
"What can you do about it? He's been a great player for us. I can remember him kicking a 65m goal in a Grand Final against Freo and being pretty happy with that one," the Hawks coach said.
"He misses this one. He's disappointed and we're all disappointed.
"Geez, he's been a ripper for us. So keep your chin up, mate, and let's get into next week."
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Spearhead James Sicily was a late withdrawal from Friday night's game with illness, but Clarkson expected him to be available for next week's cut-throat clash against the Bulldogs.
"He's just a bit crook with a bug, so he should be fine," Clarkson said.
However, first-year tall Ryan Burton is in doubt for next week after coming off early in the second quarter against the Cats after copping a knock to his right calf.
Burton returned to the ground soon after but came off again almost immediately and played no further part in the game.
"He just got a pretty savage corkie to his lower leg, so he's disappointed because it happened to him early and we were down a rotation for the rest of the game," Clarkson said.
"So he was feeling that because he wanted to get out there and help his teammates, but it was savage enough for him not to be able to return and have full movement in that leg.
"We'll just have to wait and see how that settles down over the course of the week."
