DESPITE sitting on top of the ladder with 11 wins from its 14 matches, Hawthorn is yet to produce a full four quarter performance, says defender Ben Stratton.

It could well be an ominous sign for the rest of the competition.

The three-time reigning premiers have produced good patches and good matches, but not a complete performance in the eyes of three-time premiership player Stratton.

“I think still we’re working on putting together a four quarter performance,” he said.

“We’ve played good patches here and there in games and good halves, but I don’t think we’ve played a full four-quarter effort, so there is room for improvement which is a pleasing thing going forward.”

While the Hawks perhaps haven’t been at their premiership-winning best on every occasion this season, they have produced a number of strong performances and have beaten four fellow top-eight sides.

One player who has been key to that success is emerging leader Stratton.

From shutting down star Western Bulldogs forward Jake Stringer in Round 3, to playing a crucial rebound role against Gold Coast Suns last week, the versatile 27-year-old has been one of the Hawks’ most consistent performers in 2016.

FIVE TAKEAWAYS: Is Stratton in All Australian contention?

For the first time since Round 20, 2014, the Hawks hold top spot on the ladder at the end of a round.

It could well be a different story this time next week – as a Sydney win against Western Bulldogs will see them return to the top of the ladder.

However, regardless of ladder position, Stratton believes the Hawks are well placed to return from the bye and tackle the remainder of year.

“We’ve got eight more games and another bye before finals, so we’re ready to go and attack the second half of the year, definitely,” he said.