HAWTHORN midfielder Luke Hodge says Stuart Dew could be out for a month after he sustained a hamstring injury in the dying stages of the club's 15-point win over Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Saturday.

"It's just a basic hamstring, so he'll be three or four weeks, I think,” Hodge said.

While Dew's absence is a blow for the undefeated Hawks, there should be plenty of cover for the former Port Adelaide premiership player, with Tim Clarke and Benny McGlynn looking like they'll be available for selection against North Melbourne this weekend. The Hawks will also welcome back midfielder Jordan Lewis, who missed the first two rounds due to suspension.

Mark Williams could also be available, but Hodge admits that with the forward unit performing as well as it is, finding a spot for the 24-year-old could be challenging.

"After the first round it would have been hard to drop one of the boys, and probably the same again this week," Hodge said.

"As long as (Williams) keeps training as well as he has been, he'll be back in there soon.”

Hodge admitted that he struggled in his comeback game against the Dockers after missing the first round due to suspension.

"I was blowing a bit, but I was expecting that," he said.

"Hopefully this week, I'll be a bit better for it."

The 23-year-old heaped praise on young recruits Cyril Rioli and Cameron Stokes, who he says are showing maturity beyond their years.

"He's (Rioli) pretty exciting. We knew as soon as he came out here that he can do some freaky stuff, and the same with 'Stokesy' as well. I think all our forward line is pretty exciting. As long as they can keep getting their hands on the ball, it's going to be good for us.”

Despite last year's semi-final defeat to the Kangaroos, Hodge says his side won't be dwelling on previous encounters.

"Hawthorn and North have had a rivalry for a while … but we've worked on points we need to improve, not only the game last year but all season, and hopefully we can do that.”

Damaging left-footer Clinton Young, who sat on the bench for the final quarter of Saturday night's win, pulled up sore after the match but is likely to play this weekend, with the club monitoring the progress of the 22-year-old during the week.