HAWTHORN has high expectations and star forward Cyril Rioli made that clear when he revealed the 56-point win over the Bombers wasn’t the team’s best performance of 2013.

It is a scary thought for the rest of the competition, given the emphatic nature of Hawthorn’s victory in the top-of-the-table clash against its arch rivals.

The Hawks overcame a slow start to outscore the Bombers in each quarter and put together one of its best four quarter performances of the season.

The victory was led by Lance Franklin (eight goals), Sam Mitchell (31 disposals), Paul Puopolo (10 tackles) and Cyril Rioli (five tackles).

Despite the standout performances from some of its biggest stars and impressive contributions from players like Shane Savage, Taylor Duryea and Jonathan Simpkin, Rioli believes it wasn’t the side’s best performance of 2013.

Speaking to hawthornfc.com.au post-match, the Hawks dynamo did, however, make it clear the team was happy with its win over a genuine finals contender.

“It’s probably not the best game we’ve played but we went into the game all wanting to play our role and stick to the structures and I think we did that spot on against the Bombers,” he said.

“Playing the second team on the ladder on Friday night, it was a very good hit-out and a great win.”

Rioli’s comments echoed those made by Coach Alastair Clarkson in the aftermath of the win, who, while labelling it a great team performance, reaffirmed the Club hasn't peaked just yet.

“We were really pleased with the contributions we got from all our players tonight," Clarkson said.

"It was a real team effort.

"We want to be peaking in September."

Defender Brian Lake too, said on Monday the win over the Bombers isn’t Hawthorn’s best, but admits it was the best performance in over a month.

"It's definitely the best game we've played for six weeks,” he said.

"We've been a little bit flat, but we've still been able to get the wins, which is the important thing.

"We've still got a lot of areas that we need to improve on.

"We've had two losses, but there are some games where we've been pretty average.

"We're just slowly building on those, and then hopefully everyone's body's right and raring to go come finals."

So if not that win, then which is Hawthorn’s best so far in 2013?

Rioli says it’s undoubtedly the win over the Swans in Round 7.

“The best game we’ve probably played, I wasn’t playing but the boys against Sydney, that was probably the best game we’ve played this year,” he said.