JARRYD Roughead's consecutive weeks without a goal are of no concern to Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, who says he doesn't judge his captain on his scoreboard impact.

Roughead, who won the Coleman Medal five years ago with 72 goals at the start of the Hawks' flag three-peat, last went goalless in two straight matches back in rounds eight and nine, 2015.

The 31-year-old key forward kicked 10 majors in the first month of the season after a strong finish to last year, when he tallied 15 goals in the last six games.

Hawthorn has spread the love in attack in 2018, with Luke Breust leading the way with 19 majors, from Jack Gunston (11), with Roughead and Isaac Smith tied on 10.

"I thought he was really important for us last week against St Kilda," Clarkson said of Roughead.

"He was disappointed with his game the week before against the Kangaroos, but to be fair to him, he had 18 mates …

"But his game on the weekend was a lot stronger. He didn't kick a goal – that's not what we're judging him by, though.

"We're judging him on his contests and his leadership, and he was very strong in that space last week."

Roughead's 14 disposals per match – none of which are being won in his defensive 50 for the first time in his career – and his efficiency of 64.3 per cent are at an eight-year low.

His average tackle numbers are also way down, but his 8.5 contested possessions are near his career highs, and he is driving the ball inside 50 (2.7 a game) as much as ever.

The Hawks (4-2) sit inside the top four entering Saturday's clash with struggling Essendon, which won just twice in the first six rounds.

Defender James Sicily returns from his second suspension of the year on a clear understanding he needs to change his ways, while vice-captain Liam Shiels (back) is their other inclusion.

"We're expecting Essendon's best and they haven't seen it as much as they'd like in the first part of the season, but we know their capabilities," Clarkson said.

"They've got All Australians on every line and if they haven't made All Australian, there are another three or four who have been best and fairest winners.

"They're a very talented unit and we're preparing for their best, because against us they've been able to bring that on a pretty frequent basis."

But Clarkson wasn't buying into the clubs' rivalry, including the "line in the sand" commentary, but expected up to 70,000 to turn out at the MCG for the match.

"This is just another opponent, really," he said.

"We haven't played the Bombers since round one of last year, so it's not a big focus for us in terms of rivalry, as much as it is just trying to secure another win.

"We need to play some strong, tough footy. Two weeks ago we were really poor in the early part of the game against North Melbourne (but) we were much better against St Kilda."