There was no chest-beating and bravado from premiers Hawthorn the day after they salvaged their fading AFL finals hopes.

Instead, there was simply relief at a nine-point win over North Melbourne which keeps the Hawks in touch with the top eight, but still no certainties to be able to defend their premiership in September.

Midfielder Brad Sewell wasn't even sure the Hawks could claim Sunday's win - sparked by some freakish Lance Franklin heroics - was enough to breathe new life into their stuttering premiership defence.

"I'm not sure about turning a season around, but we haven't had a win like that in quite some time," Sewell said on Monday.

"There's certainly an element of relief. It was that type of game. To have fought so hard and then to let it slip, it wouldn't have been a great feeling at all.

"To have crawled over the line in a sense, and particularly in those conditions, it allows you to enjoy a win like that a little bit more."

Sewell was among the stars of the gutsy come-from-behind win in stormy, wet conditions in Launceston, teaming up in the midfield with Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell to turn the match the Hawks' way.

Sewell said Mitchell appeared to have suffered no ill effects from a shoulder injury he sustained during the match.

"He's walking around this morning okay. I'm sure little Nugget will be fine."

Hawthorn's next test is attempting to stop Collingwood's bid for an eighth successive win.

The Magpies are coming off a thrilling one-point victory over fellow top four aspirants the Western Bulldogs, setting the stage for an enthralling clash against the Hawks at the MCG on Saturday night.

"They're playing really well. They've got quite a few contributors all across the board," Sewell said.

"Their guys are playing good footy. We are going to have to really step up.

"We have great games against those guys and obviously they're up and about at the moment."

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