Hawthorn Coach Alastair Clarkson says "a bit of soul searching" over the club's bye was the key to the club's impressive victory over Sydney on Friday night. 

The Hawks had an ordinary five-week period leading up to their bye, failing to record a win throughout the period, but it was a completely different story against the Swans as the side put together an outstanding four-quarter performance.

Match report: Hawks brilliant in shock victory over the Swans

Clarkson explained that the group was intent on turning its fortunes around in the second half of the year. 

"We had an oppurtunity over our mid-season bye to have a bit of a reset and do a bit of soul searching to be fair," Clarkson said.

"Perhaps the fact that we were able to do that, get a rest, set ourselves for the restart and just try and find something out of the second half of the year - I think that reflected in why our intensity right from the get-go was really, really strong."

Watch the full press conference below.