The Hawks played inspired football in the first half against Carlton on Friday night, holding off a fast finishing Blues by 12 points.
Hodge told SEN the game was similar to the intensity experienced in finals.
"A lot of the guys made a lot of those mistakes through fatigue," Hodge said of the match.
"The pressure, the chasing, the tackling from both sides was outstanding."
The Hawks kicked seven goals to one in the first half, before the Blues came back to kick seven in the second half.
Hodge said his team would learn and improve from its second half.
"We're hoping after looking at that second half, we've got a bit of improving to do," he said.
"We'll make sure we focus on those kinds of things, so hopefully we've got a lot of improving."
The pivotal win assured the Hawks a top-four spot and a probable meeting with Geelong in week one of the finals.
Hodge said the form of ruckman David Hale had been promising since losing Jarryd Roughead to a ruptured Achilles against the Cats in round 12 for the rest of the season.
"I think he's just starting to find his feet," he said.
"Hale has taken it upon himself to play some really good footy the last couple of weeks."
Much of the focus has centred on Hawthorn forwards Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli after recent eye-catching performances, but Hodge said youngsters Isaac Smith and Paul Puopolo have been crucial additions this year.
"I think that with Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney coming in, teams have to look to the VFL or WAFL for those mature-aged rookies to come in and break the lines," he said.
"Paul Puopolo who's got a bit of pace and can run as well and Isaac Smith has been outstanding. That's helped us this year."
Hodge is hopeful defender Ben Stratton will return to the VFL next week after rupturing his posterior cruciate ligament in round four against Richmond.
However, Hodge said Stratton wouldn't be risked, under any circumstances, to bolster Hawthorn's backline.
"They're not going to risk him, if he's got any doubt they won't push him at all."
