Tuesday's night clash against the Crows was a nightmare loss for the Hawks, there's no escaping that.
Coach Alastair Clarkson said he was "quite realistic" about where his team was at and compared its current plight to that of fellow former powerhouse Sydney.
"There are a couple of clubs who sit 15th and 16th in the competition that have been stellar clubs over the past few years.
"Part of it is the cycle of footy, unfortunately," he said.
"Both us and Sydney have been clubs that haven't wanted to get ourselves into this position on the ladder and, perhaps, if it wouldn't be (but) for the circumstances we're in.
"We started the season 3-1 and we feel like we're a better side … but what this year has done is, perhaps, fast-tracked our views into where our next piece of silverware is going to come from."
Clarkson bemoaned how "dead-legged" his players were from the start, and queried whether that was because of the four-day discrepancy in the two clubs' break, in Adelaide's favour.
"We're sick of making excuses, but at the same time we know there's a really significant excuse for why we're 1-9 on the road this year," he said.
There is likely to be some fresh faces in the Hawks' future, with Clarkson admitting this difficult season had "fast-tracked" the direction they were likely to head.
Hawthorn played seven players aged 22 or younger against Adelaide, and eight of the side had fewer than 50 games' experience.
"We need to give some young guys the opportunity and we're starting to do that.
"But we just don't believe that you throw 10 or 12 young kids to the wolves straight away.
"We'll do it bit by bit when we think they're physically ready, and when they're emotionally and mentally resilient enough to be able to cope with the demands of the game.
"Hopefully that'll come pretty soon for some of those guys, and we'll see where we go from there."
Clarkson foreshadowed another "four or five" changes to his squad for Sunday's clash with St Kilda at Metricon Stadium.
