HAWTHORN midfielder Liam Shiels says bringing pressure was his primary focus against Richmond on Friday night.

The tackling machine did just that, playing a pivotal role in the Hawks' 46-point win.

After missing the first two games of the season through injury, Shiels has been building, producing arguably his strongest performance yet in 2016 against the Tigers.

"I struggled to find the footy in my first few games for the season," he said post-game.

"Tonight I just wanted to go back to my one-wood – bring pressure, plenty of tackles and try to turn the footy over a little bit, so it was good to do that.

"Richmond’s a very good contested side, so we knew we had to take it up to them in that area. We were very poor at it last week, so the boys were excited to get into the contest."

Shiels finished with 16 disposals, four inside-50s and four clearances, but it was his work without the footy that stood out most, as he laid a game-high 16 tackles.

He laid nine tackles in the final quarter alone - more than any other player on the ground could manage during the entire match.

After a disappointing loss last week, Shiels said the Hawks set themselves to win the contested footy battle, and were getting closer to their best football.

"Our focus going into the game was stoppages and contested possession – we didn’t start great, they smashed in those areas," he said.

"At quarter time, we just looked at it and said ‘let’s grind our way back into this contest’, and it was good that we could do that and run away with it in the last quarter.

"I don’t think any team’s playing their best footy at this time of the season. But we’re still in a great spot, we’re 5-2 now so we’re going alright, we’re still a little bit off our best, but tonight was a step in the right direction."

Another positive was the performance of Hawthorn's younger players, with debutant Kaiden Brand and second-gamer Kieran Lovell featuring in their first Hawthorn win.

"They both acquitted themselves really well," Shiels said.

"I thought KB was really good down back, he held his own down there and gave us a bit of drive going forward. Lovey was fantastic, so strong over the footy and strong in the contest. It was great to get two boys their first win."