Watch Alastair Clarkson and Luke Hodge's press conference above.

DESPITE coming away from his side's 72-point win over Port Adelaide with a couple of injury concerns to key players, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was philosophical about his team's ability to overcome an early deficit and run out the game in impressive fashion.

"It did blow out a bit our way late in the game," he said.

"We were pretty scratchy early. We knew Port would come out fired up, that's the trend when a club changes coach during the season."

"We set ourselves, had a really good second quarter and got control of the game."

The Hawks booted just one goal in the opening term before pouring on the class after quarter time to notch 24 goals for the match, including 11 in a final quarter avalanche.

Clarkson did admit, however, to being disappointed with the 13 majors booted by a Port outfit coached by Garry Hocking following last week's resignation of Matthew Primus.

Of greater concern were second quarter injuries to Cyril Rioli (shoulder) and Josh Gibson (ankle), the latter clearly hobbled as he left Aurora Stadium on crutches.

Clarkson played down Rioli's injury, but the damaging forward looked to be in some discomfort as he was attended to by medical staff before being subbed off at half-time.

"He just got a knock to the shoulder late in the second quarter," Clarkson said.

"We had that assessed at half-time and we don't think it's too serious, but he's had a pretty heavy campaign for us up to this point and we thought it was a good chance to rest him up and not take any risks with it."

Rioli was also involved in a first quarter clash with Hamish Hartlett that left the Hawks star on all fours and appeared to spark a quarter-time melee between players from both sides.

Clarkson acknowledged the brave first quarter display from Port Adelaide that saw his side leak the first three goals of the game and believed better times were not far away for the Power.

"I've got enormous respect for what's happened at Port Adelaide footy club in terms of its history and they're going through a tough patch at the minute, but they'll get some good people involved at the club and work their way out of it."

He also admitted that respected Hawks assistant coach Leon Cameron may be considered for the vacant Port position at season's end.

"I haven't spoken to Leon about it, but that's pretty much up to the Pot Adelaide crew," he said.

"They'll make a judgement, put together a short-list - Leon was really close to getting the job last year at the Western Bulldogs and he's been in the system a long period of time and is just waiting for his opportunity."

"He's certainly been a great contributor at our footy club and if he got a senior job he'd be a worthy candidate."