Hawthorn midfielder Brad Sewell says the entire team needs to take responsibility for the defensive woes which have contributed to his side's frustrating start to the AFL season.

The titleholders were overrun in the final quarter against Port Adelaide last Saturday, falling to a 30-point loss which was their third loss from four starts.

They face in-form West Coast in a twilight game in Launceston on Saturday.

While injuries to key players have been crucial, with another defender Brent Guerra joining the casualty ward, Sewell says players across the park need to improve their defence.

He said the introduction of a number of young defenders such as Brendan Whitecross and Garry Moss hadn't been an issue in the side's recent demise.

"That's the midfielders' fault, that's the forwards' fault, we certainly can't lump that area of the game in the defenders' lap and say that's their issue, it's across the board.

"It's midfielders not getting back enough, for not filling the holes, for not picking up our men and the forwards are guilty of that again.

"It's been a great chance for those guys to gain some exposure and experience ... we certainly haven't been helping them out at all in that area."

Port looked more hungry and intense than Hawthorn - traits the club usually pride themselves on.

"Absolutely we were second on the ball, Port showed us up in quite a few areas of the game that we rate ourselves highly in.

"It's not good enough."

He said however, that there was no sense of panic in the ranks despite sitting 13th on the competition ladder.

"To be fair we played the first two rounds against two teams (Geelong and Sydney) who have been the benchmark of the competition for a period of time now.

"We're only one game off fifth and it's still very early in the year and a very even competition.

"Sides are still settling themselves to a certain extent.

"It's obviously not the ideal start to the season for us but we've got a good chance on the weekend coming to bounce back against the West Coast."

Sewell said the Hawks were looking forward to their first game of the season in Tasmania, where they have enjoyed plenty of success.

"The timing's always great to play in Tassie, we love playing down there.

"It's a great ground that we play well and we get great support."

In some much needed good news on the injury front, defender Stephen Gilham (knee) may return for his second match of the season.

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