HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson says missing out on the top four might not make a big difference to the Hawks' premiership chances due to the unknown of the bye after round 23.

The Hawks put their top-four hopes in jeopardy after losing to West Coast by 25 points on Friday night at Domain Stadium.

Compounding the loss was the fear ruckman Jonathon Ceglar could miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious right knee injury in the third quarter.

The Hawks were two games clear on top of the AFL ladder after round 19 and looked certain to claim the minor premiership, but losses to Melbourne and the Eagles could see them miss the top-four altogether.



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However, Clarkson said that might not be as big a disadvantage as it has been in previous years.

"The huge curve ball in this year's finals series is that bye after round 23," Clarkson said after the loss to the Eagles.

"It's unique, it's never been done in the game before. No one knows how it's going to pan out.

"Even if you win the first final you've then got a very, very nervous wait.

"When you get into the prelim, you've had one game in about three or four weeks, which is really unique.

"I don't really know where we want to finish to be fair. But all I do know, in history, top four has been the best spot. So that's what we're going for."

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The Hawks only need to beat Collingwood next Sunday at the MCG to ensure the double chance.



No side has won from fifth under the current finals system. Adelaide was the last team to achieve the feat in 1998, but Clarkson said it could be done this year.

"If we lose, it's not the be-all or end-all," Clarkson said.

"We still give ourselves a chance. If there's any year there's a chance to come from outside of the top four, it's this year, because of that very unique situation."

Clarkson said the Hawks were off against West Coast in their skill execution under pressure and vowed they would fix those issues in the coming weeks.