Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has praised the way captain Sam Mitchell and young ruckman Brent Renouf rebounded from poor performances to play pivotal roles in the club's AFL win over North Melbourne.

Renouf was again forced to play a virtual lone hand in the ruck against the Kangaroos, after being thrashed in that role by Sydney ruckmen Darren Jolly and Jesse White last weekend.

Combined with Mitchell being tagged out of the game by Swans co-captain Brett Kirk, they were viewed as two major reasons for the Hawks' surprise loss to Sydney which kept them winless after two rounds.

But Mitchell fought back with a superb 37-disposal game to be best afield as the Hawks thrashed the Kangaroos, while Renouf was solid against a strong North ruck contingent and also provided valuable support to his side's defence.

Clarkson admitted he had let Mitchell know what he thought of his quiet performance last round.

"We have pretty open and frank discussions with all our players, when they perform well and when they perform poorly," he said.

"He didn't miss it last week in terms of a performance that was below the standard he was capable of producing and he answered in the right sort of manner today."

He said Mitchell's ball-winning capacity was vital to getting the Hawks' game in full swing.

"What we didn't get against the Swans last week was the run and carry and sharing the footy, a lot of guys bring one another into the game when you do that," he said.

"He was first-rate in that regard and brought the halfbacks and wings into the game, (Brent) Guerra and (Luke) Hodge and (Grant) Birchall and those types of guys and it meant we could carry the ball forward really well."

Clarkson was also full of praise for Renouf's effort in the absence of suspended Simon Taylor and injured Robert Campbell, both of whom could return next round against Essendon.

"It was a lion-hearted effort from the big fella," he said.

"He got mauled a bit by the big Sydney rucks last week and both big strong boys, White and Jolly of course.

"We got absolutely smashed at hit-outs and stoppage clearances but he really gritted the teeth this week and did an outstanding job."

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