THE HAWTHORN team that hits AAMI Stadium on Sunday might not be firing on all cylinders, but coach Alastair Clarkson is happy to keep fine-tuning the Hawks' machine in preparation for the second half of the season.

Injuries have played a big part in the reigning premier's sluggish start to the year, but four wins out of the last five games at least have the Hawks sitting seventh on the AFL ladder ahead of the clash against Adelaide.  

"We've been pleased that we've been able to get the points more than anything [of late]," Clarkson said from Waverley Park on Friday.

"We were 1-3 going into round five, so our season hadn't started in the manner that we would have liked, albeit that we knew we were a little bit underdone with some of our more senior personnel.

"Over the course of the last six to eight weeks we've started to get a bit more consistency back into our performances, but we've still got a long way to go before our very best.

"We played against a side last week in Melbourne who everyone was saying didn't have much experience and had a pretty young side on the park, but we were below them in average age and below them in games experience.

"For our young blokes to acquit themselves like they did last week and still run out on top was a great credit to them."

Clarkson will continue blooding new talent this week with the youngest player on an AFL list in 2009, Liam Shiels, named on a wing.

"He'll make his debut at AAMI Stadium which is a pretty hard fortress to make your debut in, but he'll acquit himself really well," Clarkson said.

"We're really excited by his progress. He's the youngest lad playing AFL footy and he's still going to school so it's certainly an exciting time for him and his family as well as our footy club."

Luke Hodge's absence continues to be felt as he tries to settle an adductor strain, but Clarkson's focus on getting the team right for the second half of the year remains paramount in all discussions concerning the return of injured players.

"He could play this week if we really needed him to go again and if it was finals we'd probably give that some consideration, but we want to get him totally right," he said.

"We'll probably give him at least another week or two. If he doesn't settle as well as we'd like, then maybe even after the break.

“We've been happy with his progress, but when he comes back we want to make sure he's absolutely right for the second half of the season.

"He'd need to have a little bit of a hiccup or a bit of soreness to wait until after the break, but we'll be pretty conservative with him."