Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson will be surprised if the Hawks deliver another lacklustre performance as they search for their second win of the AFL season.

The defending champions host West Coast in Launceston on Saturday after they faded badly against Port Adelaide last weekend, earning a blast from Clarkson for their lack of intensity.

Still, the coach sees that match as an aberration and feels they are otherwise travelling well, despite their 1-3 win-loss record after four rounds.

"The week before, playing against the Kangaroos, our intensity and attack on the ball and the opposition was outstanding," Clarkson said.

"Last Saturday Port were worthy opponents but we don't think we helped ourselves with the manner in which we approached the game.

"We need to rectify that tomorrow and we know that if we're not quite sharp in that area of the game then it's going to be tough to get the points against West Coast who are in pretty good form.

"The guys have trained well and reviewed the game and were disappointed with what their output was and I'd be very surprised if that area of our game isn't up to scratch tomorrow."

While West Coast haven't won on the road this season, the Hawks haven't been helped by the loss of yet another defender, with Brent Guerra suffering a hamstring injury.

Clarkson admits his young line-up will have their hands full if the versatile Eagles forwards are on song.

"They've got a fair few guys, even a guy like (Mark) LeCras, who is one of the leading goal-kickers in the competition, he can be a focal point for them as well," Clarkson said.

"(Quinten) Lynch has kicked a lot of goals, (Ashley) Hansen is a very capable player.

"We need to put a lot of pressure on them across the ground to try to limit the amount of supply they get in there.

"If they get a lot of supply then because the quality of those forwards they're going to hurt you."

Clarkson said even if his side suffered another loss there was no panic in the ranks and that they were still capable of successfully defending their title.

"I think, going back to `97, St Kilda started the season one and four (and made the grand final) and even two or three years ago Sydney started the season one and three so you never kiss your season goodbye," he said.

"We attack every game as if we're a real chance to win it but we know every game we lose makes it tougher for us.

"Until it's mathematically impossible for us to get there we'll have a crack at it."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP