HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson hopes the experience of holding off a fast-finishing Carlton in a finals-like contest on Friday night will stand his team in good stead for September.

The Hawks dominated the first half at a packed Etihad Stadium, kicking eight of the game's first nine goals to open up a 45-point break early in the third quarter.

But the match then underwent a complete momentum shift as the Blues booted seven of the last nine goals to get within 12 points at the final siren.

"It was a tight, high pressure game and both sides made plenty of errors," Clarkson said post-match.

"Carlton fumbled a lot, Hawthorn fumbled a lot.

"It was a great opportunity for our players to play in a high-pressure game knowing full well that that's what's coming in September."

The Hawthorn coach was reluctant to criticise his players for the second-half turnaround.

"Carlton are a good side," he said.

"They can produce some terrific football.

"We did really well to negate that in the first half, we couldn't do it as well in the second half.

"They've got some quality footballers and it's hard to keep them down for the whole four quarters."

The highest-quality Blue of all, Chris Judd, had his quietest night in three years, collecting just 15 disposals.

He was well beaten by Jordan Lewis, who picked up 30 possessions himself to win the David Parkin Medal for best afield.

"He can rack them up, Juddy, so Jordan was a pretty important player in the way that he went about his role tonight for us," Clarkson said.

"We were pleased with his effort."

Hawthorn's medical staff was kept busy throughout the evening as the physical encounter took its toll.

David Hale and Liam Shiels both received knocks to the head, and Josh Gibson had his stellar first half interrupted when he left the field for treatment on a tight hamstring.

But all three returned to the field, and Clarkson reported no serious injuries.

"It was a pretty physical game," he said.

"I reckon there'll be a few sore players … we'll nurse a few of those sore spots and get ourselves ready for the Bulldogs."

Mark Macgugan writes for hawthornfc.com.au and covers Hawks news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mmacgugan