HAWTHORN forward Luke Breust says mid-game lapses have cost the reigning premiers in the first half of the season.

The Hawks, who have a bye this weekend, sit sixth on the ladder after dropping four games in the opening 10 rounds.

Breust says the Hawks don't need to re-invent the wheel to improve after the weekend off.

"It's just lapses, 20 minutes here and there has cost us games," he said on Thursday.

"It was a step in the right direction on Sunday against St Kilda." Breust said, referring to Hawks comfortable 63-point win at Etihad Stadium last round.

"We'll reset now and hopefully attack the second half of the season a bit better."

Breust has been able to enjoy the beach and a hit of golf before returning to training on Friday, when the refreshed reigning premiers will start preparing for next Thursday's clash with Adelaide.

In a perfect world the NSW Riverina product would instead have next week off, allowing him to attend the State of Origin fixture at the MCG in addition to Monday's NRL match between Melbourne and Parramatta at AAMI Park.

"I'd watch more rugby league at home than AFL," Breust admitted on Thursday.

"Because we do a lot of analysis at the club, when I get home I just sit on the couch and it's refreshing to watch a game of league.

"We've got a fair few boys at the club that love their league.

"It's just unfortunate timing that we play Thursday night in Adelaide, otherwise we would have had a fair few going to Origin."