Still shattered following their grand final defeat, the Hawks say they’ll use it to fuel their fire for the 2013 AFL flag.

Hawthorn players and coaches gathered at a supporters’ day at their traditional Glenferrie Oval base in Melbourne on Sunday – vowing to go one better next year.

Defender Josh Gibson says the players are devastated by their 10-point loss to Sydney in a musical chairs-like match; the music stopping with the Hawks behind after periods in which both sides looked set to hoist the cup.

“Obviously there’s disappointment to get so close, but the positive thing is we made a grand final, and you want to be playing finals,” Gibson said.

“We’re all definitely hungry (for next year).

“Coming so close it just fuels the fire a little bit more to come back training next year and try and put ourselves in a position to make a grand final, and hopefully get a win.

“We’re going to enjoy our break, get a mental break away from the game.

“But we’ll come back to pre-season charged and excited to see what next season has for us.”

More than 2,000 supporters were at Glenferrie Oval on Sunday to commiserate with the Hawks.

Club president Andrew Newbold said the Hawks would take heart from what happened the last time they lost a grand final.

That defeat 25 years ago sparked an era of Hawthorn domination, with three flags in the next four seasons.

“The last time we lost a grand final in 1987, the two years after that we saluted both times. That’s what we’ll be seeking to do,” Newbold said to the cheers of fans.

Coach Alastair Clarkson agreed, saying the disappointment needed to be put to rest quickly.

“Know full well we can’t dwell on this for too long,” he told supporters.

“We need to move on pretty quickly … our focus is on 2013 and how we can go one better.”