ALASTAIR Clarkson has refuted any claims the reigning premiers are on the slide, saying he is satisfied with Hawthorn’s start to the 2016 season.  

Currently sitting sixth on the AFL ladder with a 5-2 win-loss record, Clarkson believes the Hawks are in a good position to challenge for their fourth straight premiership.

“I think people forget that some of the teams we’ve played against are tough teams to beat. Where they are sitting on the ladder at the moment suggests to us that when we did play them they were really good sides” he told SEN 1116.

“A couple of those wins, particularly against Adelaide and Western Bulldogs, have shown that our form line is not too bad.

“It’s just that we aren’t winning as consistently as what we would like, or by as big of a margin.

“To be five and two after a pretty tough start to the year is reasonably pleasing, especially considering that we are starting to bring some younger players into our group,” he said. 

Whilst Clarkson is pleased with the Hawks’ start to the season, he acknowledged there is still work to be done.

“We’ve got some challenges to confront in the next few months as we bring newer players into our group and older players phase out,” the four-time premiership coach said.

“But we are looking forward to that and we are wanting to embrace it in a sense, because the next generation of players is really important to the future of our club.”

When asked about his blueprint on the game, Clarkson acknowledged the continuous search for improvement that goes on behind closed doors.

“It feels like we are continuing to chase and search, and there are 17 other clubs out there that are doing things that we like, and its just trying to tinker with things that you’re doing, recognising that other teams are doing some good things too, and [working out] how can we replicate or even better what they’re doing.

“The thing with our club is that we are always searching, and we are never content that the method that we use is the best method.

“We know that the game is so dynamic and it changes so quickly.”