HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson has all but conceded the Hawks won't feature in the finals for the first time since 2009.

The Hawks are second-last on the ladder with a 4-8 win/loss record and a percentage of 76.7 heading into Thursday night's clash with ladder leaders Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

"It's highly, highly unlikely we're even going to make finals, let alone do anything significant in September this year," Clarkson told reporters on Wednesday.

"It's about putting together things with our younger players and also our method of play that gives us the best chance to win silverware at some point in the future.

"That's what our clear focus will be this week against the Crows, the following week against Collingwood and then the last eight rounds of the season - we'll continue to have that focus and give our fans some hope we'll see some silverware soon."

The Hawks have experienced an extraordinary amount of success since Clarkson was appointed coach in 2005, winning four premierships including three in a row from 2013-15.

But the departures at the end of last season of Sam Mitchell (West Coast), Jordan Lewis (Melbourne) and Bradley Hill (Fremantle) signalled a changing of the guard.

"We know exactly where we're at as a footy club and the good footy clubs realise where they are at. Nor do we think we have to go right to the bottom of the bank to find a way to our next premiership," Clarkson said.

"We think we've got a group of players that can forge ahead.

"(It's) unlikely to be this year, but we're not too despondent about what we can do in the years ahead."

In a plus for the Hawks, they will regain experienced duo Luke Hodge and Grant Birchall for the clash with the Crows.

Hodge has been sidelined since the round 11 loss to Port Adelaide with groin soreness, while Birchall has missed the past four weeks with a knee injury in his first game back from a fractured jaw.

"Having Birchall and Hodge come back in the side (will be a big help to the backline)," Clarkson said.

"Birchall has played three games, but really, he's played about five quarters of footy because he's been injured early in both games.

"He'll be a great inclusion for our side and he can get up and going and help us in the back end of the year."