They also noted the unusually high number of scoring shots in the game.
"We were really pleased we were able to gather the momentum in the last part of the game, but it was a real arm wrestle in that regard," Clarkson said.
"I don't think either side play footy in that manner - they're not sides that allow oppositions to kick 16, 18, 20 goals.
"That's probably just a reflection of ... round one of the season, players under fatigue, 130 minutes of footy, a pretty warm night and I'd expect that to settle down a bit over the next few weeks."
Hawthorn will next play Geelong on Easter Monday and Clarkson thinks Hodge will also miss that game.
Buckley said the game opened up too much and this worked in the Hawks' favour.
"Probably halfway through the second quarter, the game opened up and changed," he said.
"If you play an open-field, somewhat uncontested brand of football against a side with the best foot skills in the competition, you're going to struggle."
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