HAWTHORN'S win over North Melbourne could come at a cost, but the reigning premiers "set a standard" during the 60-point triumph, defender Josh Gibson says.
 
After an inconsistent 2-2 start to 2015, the Hawks brutally dispatched the Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
 
Alastair Clarkson's men wanted to set the tone in the first quarter, which they did by booting 6.4 to 3.1.
 
But the Hawks also lit a powder keg with their aggression, and separate incidents involving skipper Luke Hodge and vice-captain Jordan Lewis have landed the pair in hot water.
 
Lewis has been reported for striking Todd Goldstein, while Hodge is facing a ban for connecting with his forearm to Andrew Swallow's head.
 
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Gibson said it would be disappointing to lose two of the club's leaders, but he was pleased with the Hawks' intent as they rectified their slow starts to matches this season.
 
"North are a good side as well, super-talented, and it was just a hot game of footy early on," Gibson said.
 
"I think it set a standard of not so much physicality and those type of things, but it set a standard of what's expected from us to play our style of football.
 
"Defensively I thought we were really good. We had really good team defence and our ball movement and polish was back, which we lacked a little bit the week before with so many inside 50s but we really didn't connect with our forwards.
 
"I think it was a reminder of when we play our way how damaging and well we can play, but if we don't bring that then you risk getting beaten."
 
Gibson, who is part of the Hawks' five-man leadership group, was tight-lipped about the Hodge and Lewis' incidents and said he was yet to discuss them with his two teammates.
 
"I haven't actually seen Hodgey's. I just saw the free kick, obviously I just saw the ball go over my head (for a goal)," he said.
 
"Hodgey plays the game hard and he plays the game in the right spirit.
 
"I'm sure that's not what he wants to be doing but we'll just have to see what the outcome is from it."
 
If Hodge is suspended, the Hawks could have to reshuffle their backline for the third time in five games.
 
The skipper floated across half-back against North Melbourne, providing support for an undersized defence already missing James Frawley (pectoral), Brian Lake (knee) and Matt Spangher (hamstring).
 
But regardless of the Match Review Panels' findings, Gibson said team defence was the key to shutting down the competition's power forwards (Greater Western Sydney spearheads Jeremy Cameron and Cam McCarthy are the Hawks' next challenge this Saturday).
 
"We've got a really good, even group down there," Gibson said.
 
"I thought 'Schuey' (Ryan Schoenmakers) came in and played really well, Stratts (Ben Stratton) can play a multiple amount of roles so long as we work together as a back six I feel like we can mix it with most forward lines."