While disappointed to fall agonisingly short, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson saw plenty of positives in the way his young team went about its business.

"We made plenty of blues across the game, but our spirit, our endeavour and our intent was commendable," Clarkson said.

"Our polish with the ball and our capacity to execute and hurt the Geelong side wasn't at the level we needed to be, but we grow with every experience.

"The last two weeks we have played the Grand Finalists from last year so it is a tough start to the year.

"We have shown in both those games that there has been passages of play when we move the ball well and our intent is strong we are right in games of footy.

"We just let ourselves down at different stages. That will get better with more time and more games under their belt, but it will take a bit of time and take a bit of hurt like losing a game of footy like today."

MATCH REPORT: Easter Monday thriller ends in heartbreak

The Hawks have just six days to lick their wounds and gear up for the trip across the Nullarbor to tackle Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Clarkson knows the trip west will be a tough one for his charges but is confident his team is on the improve.

"I am sure the supporters out there are proud of the efforts of our boys today," he said.

"We play Freo in Perth next week and the challenges don't get any easier. that is the nature of our game.

"We will see if we can bit by bit master this very difficult game."