Hawthorn Coach Alastair Clarkson says he expected the response that his side delivered in its victory over Richmond following a poor showing the week prior. 

Coming off a 61-point loss at the hands of Geelong in Round 2, the Hawks simply blew the reigning premiers away on Thursday night.

Clarkson said the make-up of the playing group and its competitive nature filled him with the confidence that Hawks fans were in for a more positive effort. 

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"It was a tough week because we have a proud group and we are a proud club," Clarkson said.

"We lowered our colours to a good side last week, but I hope I'm not discrediting Geelong too much when I say that they're not that good - we were terribly poor.

"We expected a response and we got one.

"But the challenge for us now is to back up that response with another really strong performance against the Kangaroos next week because it is a tough competition and you can't afford to drop your guard in any way whatsoever."

The four-time premiership coach said there was an influence from all 22 players on the night, as the Hawks kept Richmond to a score under 40 points for the second consecutive week. 

"We're pleased with our effort right across the ground, whether it was around the contest, forward or back.

"We fell away a little bit in the last part of the game under the fatigue of creating that manic pressure.

"But in the first three quarters, we'd caused Richmond enough concern that they couldn't get their fluid ball movement going freely to give themselves a chance of scoring the way they usually do."