HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson is looking ahead to 2010 after his side’s 27-point loss to Adelaide all but ruled it out of finals contention.

Speaking after the game, Clarkson said his side should be disappointed that it can only finish with a maximum of 10 wins from the season.

“It’s getting pretty tough. We only won eight games and there’s two to go. Unless the other sides above us fall over drastically I think our chances are pretty slim to get there,” Clarkson said.

“I don’t think any side should justify a good performance throughout the course of the year if you only win 10 to get into the eight.

“It will be tough for us and we’ll still hang in there in terms of just wanting to play good footy and finish off the season in a good manner.”

The Hawks face Richmond next week and Essendon the following week. Both are winnable games and Clarkson said he was hoping for a strong finish to the season as a platform for 2010.

“They’ll be good competitive games and we’ve been pleased with the progress of some of our young players and some of those guys played well again tonight for us,” he said.

“We’ll continue to give those guys opportunities and hopefully with another summer of pre-season training we’ll be able to bounce back strongly next year.”

Lance Franklin was Hawthorn’s only multiple goal scorer with four and Clarkson said the absence of fellow forward Jarryd Roughead was heavily felt.

“It’s not too often that our forward structure’s missed Roughy. He has played 102 games of AFL footy and hasn’t missed too many in that time since he debuted,” he said.

“Our side certainly doesn’t function as well when Roughy’s not playing. He’s going to get injuries and we need to be able to structure up when he’s absent.

“When you get Dew and Williams out of your side who are both proven goal kickers and Roughy down too it makes your goal kicking options pretty scarce.”

Clarkson said the Crows’ experience showed in the second quarter when they kicked five goals to none.

“I thought our endeavour and how we hung in there despite having a poor second quarter, the first, third and fourth quarters I felt we more than matched Adelaide but we just didn’t have the polish and experience they’ve got in their side,” he said.

“Some of their guys are pretty experienced campaigners and steadied the ship for them a little bit. They were able to finish off their work a lot better than what we were.”