Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has defended his role in an altercation after the AFL loss to Port Adelaide.

Clarkson told Channel Seven he and Hawks football manager Chris Fagan were fearing for their safety when they tried to enter the team hotel late on Saturday night.

Clarkson said three members of the public would not leave them alone and he gave one of them a very forceful push in an incident that has been caught on video.