HAWTHORN'S string of close wins hasn't clouded coach Alastair Clarkson's view the Hawks need to fix some areas of their game to remain the competition's benchmark.

The Hawks overturned a 15-point deficit late in the final quarter against Adelaide to clinch a three-point win at the MCG on Friday night, which was Hawthorn's third straight three-point victory.

It followed narrows wins over the Western Bulldogs in round three and St Kilda last week, and once again highlighted the Hawks' composure in tight games.

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However, the reigning premiers' fourth-consecutive win after their round one loss to Geelong hasn't masked some parts of their game they need to bolster, according to Clarkson.

The four-time premiership coach, who officially signed a new three-year contract with the Hawks on Friday, heaped praise on the impressive Crows but said his team also needed to step up.

"We know we're thereabouts as well, but we need to improve on some things in our game because we're not going to continue to win close games like that. At some point in time we're going to lose a close one like that," Clarkson said post-game.

Both sides kicked 17 goals in the free-flowing and exciting contest, which was one of the most attractive and highest scoring of the season so far.

It was also the first time the Hawks have passed 100 points this season, with Clarkson saying the absence of star forward Jarryd Roughead through injury was proving a challenge. The 29-year-old is due for a return in the second half of the season as he nurses a knee injury.

"We've been really, really proud of our ability to score and score quickly, and this is the first time we've broken 100 points for the year," Clarkson said.

"We know we've got some areas of our game we need to improve on. I think the big fella (Roughead) is hurting us in that regard, so that'll hopefully correct itself when he gets back.

"In the meantime, we have to find other ways and it's pleasing tonight we got enough supply and gave our guys a chance to kick a score."

Clarkson said although the club is pleased with its 4-1 win-loss ratio in the early stage of the season, the Hawks need to find ways to restrict teams from posting high scores.  

Sam Mitchell shows the results of the close, physical contest. Picture: AFL Media

So far in 2016 the Hawks have conceded an average of 90.4 points a game – last year they averaged 70 points against across the home and away season and finals series.

"We still think we need to get a bit better with our ball movement and manner we defend, because we're not going to win finals if we're conceding 17 goals," Clarkson said.

Meanwhile, he confirmed the delay in tying up the loose ends of his contract extension had revolved around his aim to not take up too much of the club's football department salary cap.

While his new deal had been mooted for many months, Clarkson said the League's new check on football department expenditure meant he did not want his salary to cost the Hawks another staff member.

"I've got to toe the line just like we expect our players to do in terms of sharing the resources through the club. Without a doubt the senior coach's salary is the most significant of the football coaching budget, so I wanted to make sure my salary wasn't going north," he said.

"Because if it was, then that's going to squeeze someone out of our club in a coaching or resources capacity that we don't want squeezed out. That's why it just takes up a little bit of time to work out how we're going to do that."

His new deal ties him to the Hawks until the end of 2019.