Hawthorn Coach Alastair Clarkson says he acknowledges there will be lulls from time to time throughout his side's 2021 campaign. 

The Hawks led Melbourne at quarter and half-time in Round 6, and trailed by 10 points at the final break, before a Demons fourth-term onslaught extended the final margin to 50 points. 

Clarkson said it would be unfair to be too disappointed with his young side on the back of that performance, given they remained competitive for the bulk of the afternoon. 

Does Mitch come straight back in? A look at who's in the mix ahead of Crows clash

"We were pretty pleased with our effort against Melbourne for three quarters last week, we really served it up to the Demons," Clarkson said.

"We just fell away badly in a patch of play from the midway part of the last quarter.

"Like any team that is in the same phase as us, there will be inconsistencies across the four quarters each week.

"But that's what we've got to try and arrest this week against Adelaide."

Check out the full press conference below.