CLEARLY, last Saturday night’s result against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba was not what the club was expecting in its season opener.

As hard-at-it midfielder Brad Sewell succinctly put it: “The Lions were hungrier than us and we fell down everywhere.”

But Sewell is also realistic enough to understand it was simply one performance from 22 rounds, adding the team has quickly switched its focus to Easter Monday when the Hawks take on Melbourne at the MCG.

“Our pre-season was very good and there wasn’t too much more we could do in the lead-up to round one but to come out and perform the way we did was almost embarrassing, so there is only one way we can go from here,” Sewell told hawthornfc.com.au.“We went through a few things on Monday and we were all at a bit of a loss in terms of what happened. Now we’ve put it behind us and we’re looking forward to next Monday.

“We’ve certainly got a point to prove on Monday, as does Melbourne after they got done the other night, so it’ll be a contest between two very hungry sides.”

The 25-point loss to the Lions didn’t generate any slaps on the back after the match from the Hawthorn brains-trust, yet Sewell said coach Alastair Clarkson delivered a strong message to his charges.

“There certainly wasn’t much back-patting when we walked into the rooms after the game – that’s for sure,” Sewell said.

“Alastair had a good word to us and rightly so, but the quicker we can move on and forget about it the better. Everything is now focused on Melbourne and putting in a good performance there.“We didn’t underestimate Brisbane but we just surprised ourselves with the way we played and that was certainly the most disappointing thing from the match, after we found ourselves within two or three goals in the last quarter.”

For the underrated Sewell, 2007 presents another opportunity to build on a fine 2006, when he finished third in the club’s best-and-fairest award.

“I certainly want to keep progressing on from the way I did last year after I finished the season in the midfield and I'm looking to continue on from where I left off last year,” Sewell said.

But Sewell doesn’t believe greater attention will be placed on him this season by the prominence of Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Shane Crawford in the midfield.

“We’ve got a very strong midfield and they (the opposition) are more concerned about those guys,” Sewell said.

Moving from defence into the midfield last year was instrumental in helping him believe he could cut it in the big time.

“It was massive,” he said. “From a personal point of view, to get out there and play some good footy on some good players and to feel as though I belong out there, I now feel as though I can match it with anyone.

“I played all of my junior football and VFL in the midfield so to move into the midfield and get some game-time and start playing well gave me confidence.”