Hawthorn onballer Brad Sewell insists there was no panic even when Adelaide threatened to bring the Hawks spectacularly undone for a second successive AFL preliminary final.

Before Hawthorn prevailed in a five-point MCG thriller to make next week’s grand final, the plucky Crows hit the front in the last quarter with a Graham Johncock goal.

The Hawks had led by 16 points at three-quarter-time and could have been forgiven for having flashbacks of their 2011 preliminary final capitulation to Collingwood when they let slip a 17-point three-quarter-time lead to lose.

But Sewell says the 2012 Hawks have learned several times this season they are capable of digging deep at the death to win when challenged.

“There certainly wasn’t panic stations,” Sewell said.

“We’ve been in that position a few times in the second half of the year and we’ve managed to claw ourselves back in front when it mattered most.”

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson is confident skipper Luke Hodge – a late withdrawal from the 13.19 (97) to 14.8 (92) win over the Crows with gastroenteritis – will be fit for the grand final against Sydney next Saturday.

“He just lacked a bit of energy and he’ll be right for next week,” Clarkson said.

“I spoke to him this morning … and we were hoping it would settle by around lunchtime but he was no good, so we made the call.”

Clarkson is also bullish that ruck-forward David Hale, who left the field hurt after a heavy fourth quarter collision with Adelaide’s Jason Porplyzia, and Xavier Ellis – taken off with cramp – will be available.

The coach has also flagged defender Brent Guerra, missing in recent weeks with a hamstring injury, as a possible grand final inclusion.

“It’s going to go right down to the wire, but he’s done everything he possibly could to get a chance to prove his fitness this week and we’ll give him every chance,” Clarkson said.