ALASTAIR Clarkson says Hawthorn didn't set out to make a statement with its physicality against North Melbourne, but he lauded his side's "endeavour" in the bruising 60-point win over the Kangaroos.
After trailing at quarter-time in three of their four games this season, the reigning premiers set the tone for Saturday night's match in a brutal first term.
North didn't take a backward step, but the Hawks piled on 6.4 to the Roos' 3.1 at Etihad Stadium, and extended their lead at every change.
"We weren't intending to make a physical statement as such, we try to start games in a spirited manner in every game that we play in. So does every side in the competition," Clarkson said post-match.
"When you've got two bulls going at each other, I'm talking about two really talented sides who both finished top four last year, then the spirit's going to be right in the contest.
"So it's very little surprise that it was pretty spirited in the first part of the game. We were pleased with our endeavour and hunt on the footy and it got us away to some scoreboard pressure on the opposition this week.
"It was a big build-up, a critical game for both clubs. Neither side would have been pleased sitting mid-table with two wins and two losses.
"We needed to get away to a better start than we had in some of our other games and I was pleased we were able to apply a little bit of scoreboard pressure this week."
However, the win – which improves Hawthorn's record to 3-2 - could come at a cost with the Hawks facing anxious waits after first-term incidents involving skipper Luke Hodge and vice-captain Jordan Lewis.
Hodge is certain to be scrutinised by the Match Review Panel for his elbow to Andrew Swallow's head, while Lewis was reported for striking Todd Goldstein.
Clarkson was tight-lipped when asked for his view on the incidents.
"It doesn't matter if I've got a take on it anyway, I can't comment, can I?" he said.
Pre-match the focus for Hawthorn was how to deal with the loss of Brian Lake, with the veteran full-back joining three other key defenders on the sidelines after last week's loss to Port Adelaide.
Clarkson praised the efforts of his undersized backline - which limited the influence of North's tall attackers Ben Brown (three goals), Drew Petrie (two) and Aaron Black (nil) – but the coach said shutting down the Roos' ball movement was crucial to the outcome.
"We were able to restrict the Kangaroos side to about 40 inside 50 entries, which is really important," he said.
"They can be a really potent and free-flowing side if they get a lot of inside 50 entries to their tall timber."
The Hawks' defence is unlikely to see reinforcements against Greater Western Sydney next week, however, with Clarkson all but confirming James Frawley (pectoral) would miss at least another week.
But he said the Hawks, who escaped unscathed apart from a bloody nose to defender Josh Gibson, were likely to welcome back late withdrawal Paul Puopolo (corked leg) against the Giants.
