As Hawthorn fans, it has been a deflating week.

After a rollercoaster ride of a season, the Round 20 loss to Richmond seemed to be the final nail in Hawthorn's season, after a mightily courageous revival by a young Hawk outfit.

Despite a seven-week period that saw the Hawks match it with the best teams in the competition, finals now seemed too far out of reach, with the winless opening month proving too difficult to overcome.

But is a finals berth now impossible for the Hawks?

The short answer is no.

In fact, it’s a simpler proposition than many may expect (albeit unlikely). 

Firstly, there is one non-negotiable: the Hawks must win all of their three final games.

The Hawks lose one of those three games and the year is done and dusted without doubt. 

Read: Hodge climbs into Hawthorn top 5 games list

But… 

There are 27 games of the home and away season left, take the Hawks’ games out, there is 24 games to go. 

As the ladder currently stands, if the team higher up the ladder wins each match-up of those 24, with the Hawks winning all three of their games, then the Hawks finish ninth and two premiership points from an eight consecutive September. 

But, if Essendon breaks the rule and loses to either the more lowly Gold Coast in Round 22 or Fremantle in Round 23, then the Hawks slide into eighth spot.

Over 27 games, there is much that can go awry in this master plan.

But, Hawks fans, keep cheering, because you just never know!