HAWTHORN defender and September mainstay Brent Guerra haspledged to guide the young Hawks through their first finals campaign since2001.

The ex-Port and St Kilda hardman – who has played ninefinals – believes that the Hawks are mentally tough enough not to go into theirshell in next week’s elimination final against Adelaide.

“If we go into next week’s match like we did today, we’llget smashed again,” Guerra said in the rooms after Hawthorn’s 72-point loss to Sydney.

“We’re going to forget about this week, and just lookforward to playing Adelaide.”

While the skill level of the young Hawks was not up to thestandard they have set over a superb 2007 season, Guerra flatly denied that itwas due to nerves playing in front of a sold-out SCG on the eve of the finals.

“I think it was just the pressure Sydney were putting on us. They’re a goodteam at doing that,” said Guerra, who has averaged just less than 20possessions a week in defence this year.

“They just put us under a lot of heat whenever we got nearthe ball.”

With finals experience scarce in the Hawthorn camp, thetough defender has put his hand up to lead Hawthorn’s youngsters intoSeptember.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play in a lot of finals,” Guerrasaid.

“I’ll speak to a lot of the younger kids during the week andtell them what it’s all about.

“Hopefully, I can help them a little bit on how to approachnext week.”

Echoing the upbeat demeanour of his coach, Guerra was alsoable to see the positives in the match – especially only losing the second halfby a solitary behind when the Hawks were two men down.

“When they kicked the five goals straight in the firstquarter, (they) blew us out of the water in the first half,” Guerra conceded.

“It was good to see we fought back and took it up to them inthe second half, but they were too good for us on the day.”

“I think Croady’s gone to hospital (with concussion), butI’d think he’d be right for next week,” Guerra said.