Clarkson sees spirit shine in ‘troops'

HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson praised his side’s resilience in fending off a determined West Coast outfit  to win by 18 points at Aurora Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Hawks were challenged throughout the match and had to come from behind after the Eagles briefly hit the lead early in the final term.

“It was a terrific effort by our lads,” Clarkson said after the game. “We were challenged there toward the end of the third quarter and the start of the last by West Coast and they got their noses in front but we were able to rally.

“Given where we were at going into the game it was a crucial win as we knew. It didn’t mean our season was over if we lost, but it would have been enormously tough to claw our way back into the season if we’d gone one and four.”

Members of the Hawthorn coaching and administration staff had attended the Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne today and Clarkson made reference to the Anzac spirit and how his team had been asked to apply it following a poor showing against Port Adelaide in round four.

“ We’ve had a real focus on playing with a good Anzac spirit today because we didn’t have that last week and I thought our troops rallied to the cause today and got us across the line.”

 Clarkson was also quick to praise the efforts of some of his senior players and their role in instilling a must-win attitude across the board.

“Some of our leaders really stood up. (Luke) Hodge, (Sam) Mitchell and (Brad) Sewell were great all day, but particularly that period in the last quarter. Those guys really stood tough and helped get us the win,” he said. “It really came down to our guys and just their will to win today. We knew it was going to be tough conditions and they responded really well.”

Also among those singled out for praise by Clarkson was four-goal hero, Garry Moss.

“We haven’t started the season in the manner which we would have liked in terms of our win loss, but the emergence of some of these lads like Morton, Moss, Whitecross and Renouf, these type of lads who are getting regular game-time.

“Those guys are getting fantastic exposure ... and look like they’re going to be players for the future.

“I mean, Moss, in a game like tonight where there’s only 18 goals scored for the night and he’s kicked four, it’s a pretty special effort from the kid.”