Ben McEvoy feels like Hawthorn's midfielders aren't quite on the same page yet as they deal with the absence of Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell.
But they're getting closer.
The Hawks have frustrated and impressed in three games this season, but have grafted their way to a 2-1 record while they figure out how best to cover for Mitchell, who broke his leg in January.
"It's been very different ... we sorely miss Tom and we'd love to have him out there, but it's given opportunities for other guys to have a go," McEvoy said.
"We probably haven't performed as well as we would have liked as a midfield but we're working really hard and we think we're heading in the right direction.
"We've just got to keep working together to get on the same page.
"The guys that are in there we haven't played a lot of footy together, so it's just working on that connection and a bit of chemistry.
"There's been some positive signs, but we've got a little way to go I think."
McEvoy will look to continue his good early-season form against old side St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
It will be his 191st career game and his 100th for the Hawks since his surprise trade ahead of the 2014 season.
"It's pretty much business as usual ... it's seems a lifetime ago that was playing at St Kilda," McEvoy said of the prospect of playing his milestone game against his old club.
"A lot of the guys that I played with have moved on now, it's nearly an entirely different team.
"It's a little bit ironic I suppose but it doesn't make a huge amount of difference.
"... I'm super excited to notch up a hundred with the Hawks.
"I just feel so lucky to be a custodian of the brown and gold jumper for the time that I'm here."
