ALASTAIR Clarkson says his young Hawks acquitted themselves well against Brisbane, but the cavalry will return against Richmond in their final JLT Series match next Saturday.

With more than half of its best team left in Melbourne, Hawthorn battled hard against a vastly experienced Brisbane team before running out of legs and losing by 42 points.

But Clarkson hinted he would play close to his strongest team against the Tigers in Launceston.

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"The way our draw panned out in the JLT we got two interstate games and a six-day break," he said.

"We elected to have an earlier game ourselves with Carlton so we could get three games and would have greater flexibility to manage our players according to that three-match timetable.

"A great percentage of those more experienced players will play in that Richmond game next Saturday night."

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The list of available players is long, led by the possible introduction of Chad Wingard as he overcomes a calf injury.

Newly appointed skipper Ben Stratton, Shaun Burgoyne, Jarryd Roughead, Liam Shiels, Isaac Smith, Ben McEvoy, Luke Breust and Jaeger O’Meara could all return.

Jack Gunston (iliotibial band soreness) could also be a chance.

Despite going in against the Lions severely undermanned, Clarkson said he was delighted with his team's effort.

They trailed by less than three goals at half-time and could have been even closer in the final washup if not for some inaccurate goalkicking.

"By and large they acquitted themselves pretty well," he said.

"The experienced bodies just run out the game a little stronger at the end. The last 40 minutes we were just hanging tough."

For Brisbane it was a step in the right direction after a disappointing practice match loss to Gold Coast eight days earlier.

Stand-in coach Ben Hudson said it was a marked improvement.

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"The hunt early (was the difference)," he said.

"I reckon we got on top and were able to get territory and win the battle. Once we got our ball movement right and got it deep inside 30 we were able to score."

Hudson said Charlie Cameron had just suffered cramp after the explosive small forward came off in the third quarter grabbing at his hamstring and did not return.