Hawthorn senior coach Sam Mitchell is hyperaware that the Hawks home-and-away season now demands perfection as the club unpacks its 14-point loss to the Crows on Friday night.
After dropping the four crucial premiership points, the Hawks' run home looks to be an almighty task, with games to come against Collingwood and Melbourne at the MCG, followed by a trip to Brisbane to play the Lions in Round 24.
However, Mitchell saw plenty of positives despite the loss, and relished the opportunity for his group to play in more marquee fixtures in the final month.
"The season is in our hands, we have three games to go. We'll [need] to win those to see you in September. That's what we have to focus on now. Hopefully we see Adelaide again," Mitchell said post-game.
"Adelaide in Adelaide and then Collingwood at the 'G, these are the games we want to play in. We've been talking about getting to this position as a football club and organisation for a few years. The AFL has given us the confidence that we deserve to play in these big games.
"I don't think anyone walks away from tonight saying the Hawks aren't very good... but good is a challenge because we need to be great."
Mitchell credited the Crows for their classy play throughout all four quarters, admitting there was clearly room for growth for his side as the top eight squeeze tightens.
"There's some areas [that need tightening up]. The defensive 50 stoppages were a bit of a concern, conceding four goals is going to be tough," Mitchell said.
"I thought we moved the ball okay at different stages tonight and gave our forwards pretty good looks. There was a great contest with Thilthorpe and big Tom Barrass at centre half-forward and I thought if I could choose anyone to be in that contest on him, it would be 'TB'. Thilthorpe still marked it.
"Sometimes you tip your lid to those players... if you get beaten like that, I can cop that, I think anyone can.
"There were some parts of our game that we let it slip from things that were in our control, so we'll be very focused on those."
Play was paused by the umpires in the final minutes of the fourth quarter as Hawthorn star Will Day left the field with what appeared to be significant cramping. The injury-battled midfielder had 19 disposals, seven clearances and a crafty goal in his second game back from a major foot injury.
Mitchell addressed the health concerns surrounding Day post-game.
"I don't have an answer yet. He was cramping, he had ice on most parts of his lower body as plenty of the players do, so unsure just yet," Mitchell said.
"'Daysy' is important for us. He spent four months out of the game and has put together two games now and he's pretty important for the way we go about it... Hopefully he's feeling okay."
7 News' Mitch Cleary has since reported that Day returned to Melbourne on Saturday "with a heavy limp and moon boot" on the same foot that required surgery earlier this season after being stomped on during the game. He will be assessed over the next 48 hours.
