After an impressive fortnight, the Magpies were outclassed by the Hawks at the MCG, losing their fifth consecutive match against the 2012 grand finalists.
Despite the 25-point margin, Buckley said his team's performance underlined the ground made in recent wins against the Sydney Swans and Essendon.
"We believe if we look after the elements in our control we can beat anyone," the coach said on Friday night.
"We haven't been able to get over Hawthorn in the last 18 months, but I dare say that this one feels different to us than round three this year.
"We expect to be in the mix against anyone [and] if we keep doing that we can do some damage."
The Magpies fell 41 points behind early in the fourth quarter on Friday night, but they didn't give up and cut the margin to four goals with 12 minutes to play.
Buckley said the difference between the teams was tackling efficiency, with the clearances (41-35) and contested possessions (137-140) relatively even.
"There were a lot of clinches out there and I thought they were just that little bit better in tight," he said.
"When we had a chance to tackle we just didn't lay the tackle as effectively.
"That's an element of the game that was within our control and one that told at certain stages.
"I thought the flow of the play was pretty even, [and] I thought we finished the game stronger to be honest.
"We finished most quarters stronger."
The Magpies face West Coast next Friday night before finishing the home and away season against North Melbourne at the MCG.
Friday night's loss left the team six points adrift of fourth-placed Fremantle and the third-placed Sydney Swans, who both play on Saturday.
"I said to the players in there, there's plenty of elements outside of our control that conspired to contribute to the loss," Buckley said.
"Losers talk about the things they can't control and winners just improve the things they can.
"We'll review very strongly and we'll set ourselves for West Coast next Friday night with the intent of being better than we were tonight in some of those areas."
