Those ideas, as well as a devastating second half and six goals from spearhead Lance Franklin, has brought the drought to an end and gave Clarkson his first victory at the SCG since taking over as Hawthorn coach at the start of 2005.
Better delivery into the forward line and winning a larger share of contested ball was what happened on the field for Hawthorn to break away after scores were close at half-time to run out 46 point victors.
But the Hawthorn coach told reporters after the game he had also taken the players' mobile phones from them before the game in a bid for them to not get too comfortable and change their mindset.
While he said it played an "insignificant part" in the result, it did get the team to focus on the reason they were in town this weekend.
"I knew that if took the phones away from the players, that every time they went to go to their pocket to either text message someone or receive a phone call or something like that, that it would remind them just what the very reason is to why we're here," Clarkson said.
"And that's to play footy and play a very good side that's challenged us enormously every time we've come here."
On the match, Clarkson said he was pleased just to be in the game at half-time, when his side led by four points.
"The previous four or five times I've come up here with the side the game has been over by 10 minutes into the second quarter so to actually be in the game is really pleasing," Clarkson said.
"We're rapt because this hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Hawks for quite some time.
"Certainly not in the time that I've been coaching the club have we won up here. We'd have been happy with a one-point victory but to actually control the game in the second half was really pleasing."
Hawthorn kicked 15 goals from 51 inside 50s, and restricted the Swans to just eight majors from 49 entries into their forward 50.
