Hawthorn Coach Alastair Clarkson says it was impossible to be disappointed with his players despite the side losing to Port Adelaide by 34 points on Saturday night.

On a night where the club and broader football world celebrated Shaun Burgoyne's 400th game, Clarkson raised the point that his young side may have been "overwhelmed by the occasion" in the early stages of the game.

Match report: Power play party poopers in Silk's milestone game

"It looked like we were overwhelmed by the occasion to be fair," Clarkson said.

"We made so many errors with the ball in hand, some of that to do with Port's pressure but some was just to do with us being too frantic with the footy when we had a chance to have composure and keep the ball.

"If anything, strangely enough, it was like our lads were trying too hard and we lost our balance a lot in general play and around stoppage just by playing like bees to the honeypot and trying too hard to go and get the ball.

"They ultimately made us pay because of that but we've learnt some valuable lessons all the time.

"We certainly weren't disappointed with our players though - how can you be disappointed when your players are trying too hard?"