Hawthorn midfield star Cyril Rioli has an outside chance of playing in the AFL club's next match after scans showed only minor hamstring damage.

With the speedster having a history of hamstring injuries, there were fears of an extended stint on the sidelines when he went off hurt against Geelong on Tuesday.

But with the Hawks having a bye this weekend and scans on Wednesday revealing only a small amount of bleeding, the club is not ruling out Rioli playing in their May 6 meeting with Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

In further positive news, skipper Sam Mitchell avoided suspension, receiving a reprimand over a charge of rough conduct against Geelong's Steve Johnson.

Meanwhile, teammate Chance Bateman says the Hawks must improve defensively if they are to seriously challenge the competition's best.

Bateman said the 19-point loss to Geelong was a reality check which showed the Hawks were below the level of the Cats and Collingwood - and probably several other sides.

He said they had shown in bursts this season, including an impressive opening four-goal blast against the Cats, they had the necessary talent.

But after conceding 32 scoring shots to allow the Cats to overcome that early deficit, he said their defensive pressure was too inconsistent.

The Hawks also conceded more than 100 points in their only other loss this season, to Adelaide in the opening round.

"As soon as a side kicks 17 or 18 goals you're going to battle to beat them," Bateman said.

"We kicked a decent score yesterday, but whenever you allow that many goals you're probably going to lose the game."

Bateman said the Hawks' backmen were no more to blame than the rest of the side, with many of the Cats' attacking moves starting deep in their own defence.

"If we're not putting enough pressure on in the forward line, they can run it out pretty easily and once Geelong get their game going, they transition the ball pretty well," he said.

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