HAWTHORN star Sam Mitchell says the Hawks must be wary of a St Kilda team beginning to find form.

The 2009 and 2010 runners-up, Hawthorn's round eight opponents, sit a lowly 14th on the AFL ladder after slumping to a fourth loss of the season against Carlton on Monday night.

But the Saints played some of their best football to date against the Blues, coming back from a 28-point third quarter deficit to hit the lead late in the game before eventually suffering a three-point defeat.

"They've been in a lot of tight games," Mitchell said on Thursday morning.

"You look at their game on Monday night, they're coming back into a fair bit of form and the Blues are going pretty well, so to take them to just a couple of points, they're hitting their straps.

"We've got to be ready for a big contest."

The Hawks were in a similar position to St Kilda this time last year with just one win from seven games, when a Mitchell tackle on Richmond's Shane Tuck in the dying minutes kick-started a climb back into the finals.

Mitchell said the club is pleased to be much better placed in 2011, despite not yet reaching its peak.

"Our form's not exactly as we would like, we'd like to be playing better and I think we're going to be able to do that as the season progresses," the midfielder said.

"We've been fortunate that we've been able to get over the line and still be four (wins) and two (losses) at this stage of the year without playing our best footy."

The Hawks could regain up to three players for Sunday's clash, with Cyril Rioli (hamstring), David Hale (back stiffness) and Matt Suckling (knee) all a chance to return.

Ruckman Brent Renouf, who kicked three goals against Port Adelaide on Friday night before being subbed off, has a hamstring problem and also faces a test.

Mitchell said the strong performances of first-gamers Paul Puopolo and Isaac Smith against the Power mean Hawthorn now has some welcome selection issues.

"We blooded a couple of youngsters who played really well on the weekend, and to get that competition for spots is really important for the way we play," the 2008 premiership captain said.

"Some good players have been playing in the reserves this season, and if we can get those (injured) guys back this week, then that's going to continue to happen, which is only good for our side."

St Kilda and Hawthorn will contest the Blue Ribbon Cup for the 13th time on Sunday, honouring the memory of the 157 Victoria Police officers killed while serving the community.

Mark Macgugan covers Hawthorn news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mmacgugan.