HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson has praised the spirit of his side, saying the Hawks regained their mental strength in Friday night's 12-point win over Adelaide.
The effort came a week after the Hawks surrendered top spot to the Sydney Swans with a shock 20-point loss to North Melbourne.
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Clarkson said his players were surprised by the intensity of their opposition last Friday and paid the price.
But it was a different story on Friday night, with the Hawks getting an early jump on the home side and taking a 20-point lead in the first term.
"We knew the Kangaroos were going to come out hard, but it just seemed we were unprepared for the battle, while tonight we were ready for the assault," Clarkson said.
"We were really pleased with their spirit tonight.
"For our guys just to grind it out, we had 22 guys that just played their roles tonight and had a real even contribution."
Former Crow Jack Gunston was a star for the reigning premiers, ignoring the consistent boos from the crowd to boot four goals and have a hand in several others.
His night was highlighted by a spectacular mark of the year contender in the opening term.
Clarkson said his performance was all the more special given how tightly Jarryd Roughead was held by star Adelaide defender Daniel Talia.
Roughead was kept goalless by the young Crow, who continued to push his case for All Australian selection.
"He kicked some important goals for us and he's a very, very handy target," Clarkson said of Gunston.
"He's one of a number of players who share the load.
"It's really important because 'Roughy' didn't have the greatest of nights for us, I don't think he even hit the scoreboard.
"Gunston and (Luke) Breust and (Jonathon) Ceglar I think chimed in with a couple and (Ben) McEvoy kicked a couple – to share the goals around is really important for us."
While Roughead didn't trouble the score sheet, his defensive pressure was phenomenal.
The 27-year-old finished the night with a match-high 10 tackles.
"Forward line pressure is paramount to any side being successful nowadays and when you've got a guy who's six-foot-four-or-five, key forward who's doing that sort of work for you it means a hell of a lot," Clarkson said.
"He's one of our leaders and highly regarded at our footy club, and it just shows he puts a price on both sides of his game."
Hawthorn will now enjoy a week off before taking on the Sydney Swans in what looms one of the matches of the season.
Clarkson said the likes of Bradley Hill and Brad Sewell should return for the clash, and even floated the possibility of injured defender Josh Gibson being available.
