Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says the "shattered" Hawks have fallen back into the same hole they found themselves in after a 1-6 start to the AFL season.

The Hawks had surged mid-season to be pushing for a top-four spot.

But a draw to St Kilda and losses to Port Adelaide and Sydney have sent them tumbling down to eighth on 38 points.

Clarkson was critical of his side's work-rate at the SCG on Saturday as the Hawks kicked only three goals in the first half to trail by 47 points at the main break.

They mounted a fightback in the third quarter, but eventually succumbed 19.15 (129) to 13.7 (85).

"It's the second week in a row where our intensity at the footy early in the game has been very poor and the pattern's been set and unfortunately when you play catch-up footy like that on most occasions you don't catch them," Clarkson said.

"We haven't played good footy the last two weeks and we've been in a pretty deep and dark hole early in the season and we find ourselves in a little bit of a hole at the minute.

"We pulled ourselves out of it last time and we've got to do the same (again).

"We've got three games to go, things are really hotting up for places in the bottom of the eight and we're going to need to play some better footy than we have in the last two weeks to secure ourselves a finals berth.

"We've got Melbourne next week, who have shown they're in pretty good form over the last couple of weeks, so that's not going to be an easy game."

The Hawks will be boosted by next week's return of hard man Campbell Brown from suspension.

"The way they (Sydney) moved the ball from stoppages, I think they kicked six goals from stoppages in the first half to our zero and therein tells you a fair story," Clarkson fumed.

"They were just harder at the football than us, they were winning a lot more contested ball and we were very, very disappointing."

Clarkson said he couldn't comment on an incident involving Hodge and Adam Goodes which may come under match-review scrutiny.

"I've got no idea mate, I haven't even seen it so I can't comment on something I haven't seen," he said.

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