IN THE wake of the Hawks' first finals loss since 2012 on Friday night, Jarryd Roughead insists Hawthorn's hunger for success hasn't been satisfied by back-to-back premierships. 

The Hawks were off the boil in a 32-point loss to West Coast, with their normally precise foot skills uncharacteristically shoddy, and they now have to win three sudden-death matches to clinch an historic three-peat.

Following the defeat to the Eagles, some have suggested captain Luke Hodge's drink-driving episode while he was suspended was a sign that Hawthorn's focus on winning this year's flag is not razor-sharp.

But vice-captain Roughead said the drive within the squad to go all the way was as strong as in recent years.

"I don't want to have to be dealing with Mad Monday next week," Roughead said.

"We're playing finals footy and every year there's the hunger within the group to win, because some blokes haven't won one.

"I know what it's like to win a couple, so you want that every year and for as long as you can, because you never know if we're ever going to be back here again."

The Hawks are now facing a tough journey just to get to a fourth-straight Grand Final.

They are set to lock horns with a potent Adelaide outfit at the MCG this Friday night in Hawthorn's first semi-final appearance in four years.

The winner of that clash will have to travel to the hostile environment at Domain Stadium to face Fremantle in a preliminary final.

Roughead said the Hawks' self-belief hadn't taken a hit from the jarring West Coast loss. 

"West Coast to their credit were very, very good, but that's why we got top four," he said.

"You get that double chance and now we get to play on our home deck on Friday night against a good side that were very good on Saturday night.

"We've only lost two finals in the past four years, so we definitely know how to win in September and we give ourselves every chance Friday night." 

The Crows (109 points) were the highest scoring team in week one of finals and boast a dangerous forward line, with goalsneak Eddie Betts (five goals) complimenting power forwards Taylor Walker (three) and Josh Jenkins. 

"If they get clean ball like they did on Saturday night then they can score heavily, as we saw, so making sure the pressure on the mids and the blokes kicking it inside 50 is full on," Roughead said.

The Hawks are sweating on the fitness of star forward Jack Gunston, who injured his ankle in Perth and is in doubt to take on his former club this weekend. 

"We haven't relied on one bloke all year," Roughead said. 

"I think we've got five or six blokes who have kicked over 20 goals this year, so it's not like it's a one-man or two-man forward line – and that's what it's been like the past couple of years. 

"If Gunners doesn't play then I dare say someone will definitely come in and play their role."

 


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