Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson is pleased at how his side bounced back from their AFL loss to North Melbourne but now wants them to keep the ball rolling.
The Hawks came home with a wet sail on Saturday night in Launceston to beat St Kilda by 35 points and embed themselves in the top eight.
The 13.11 (89) to 7.12 (54) victory - the Hawks' fourth of the season - came after a shock loss to North Melbourne last round.
"We rebounded strongly (against St Kilda) but there's a real focus now on putting a couple together in a row," Clarkson said ahead of next weekend's meeting with Essendon at the MCG.
"It's a really, really close competition. And it's hard to keep your dukes up and not cop one on the beak.
"You're at your most vulnerable it seems when you've got a win against your name."
Clarkson praised his experienced troops, including Isaac Smith - who booted four goals - and ball-magnet Tom Mitchell (45 possessions).
Ben McEvoy was benched late in the game on a dewy surface in Tasmania, leaving the ruck duties to Tim O'Brien and Jarryd Roughead.
"He did so much running for us. He was just tired and sore and we needed to give him a spell," Clarkson said.
Fellow tall Jonathon Ceglar, who hasn't played this season due to a lower back problem, is expected to make his return for VFL side Box Hill next round.
"It took a while to settle," Clarkson said of Ceglar's injury.
"He's had about a six or seven week strong block of training and he's ready to go.
"He'll start playing next week."
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