LAST week, Hawthorn lost to the Western Bulldogs in what coach Alastair Clarkson termed an "unlosable game". On Sunday, it defied dwindling midfield stocks to defeat North Melbourne.

The Hawks were aware their onball unit ran thin, with hamstrung pair Liam Shiels and Shaun Burgoyne joining ball-magnet Tom Mitchell (broken left leg) on the sidelines.

"We were a little bit concerned with it," Clarkson said.

HAWKS RUN DOWN ROOS Full match coverage and stats

North was ready to pounce.

Roos captain Jack Ziebell was pushed up the ground from his customary role in attack to take advantage of Clarkson's threadbare outfit, which contained six players aged 21 or under.

"They've probably looked at our midfield and said: 'outside of O'Meara, they're just going to be a bunch of kids in there' and by and large, they weren't too far wrong," Clarkson said.

GAMEBREAKER Wingard bursts to life late

"Their strategy was right, but that's why we're so proud of our lads. They just hung in there."

Hawthorn controlled the contest after quarter-time to win by 17 points at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

The Kangaroos played keepings-off early, which differed to the frenetic style they had showcased earlier this season, and shot out to a 26-point lead midway through the opening term.

WATCH Alastair Clarkson's full post-match press conference

"Once we corrected the way that we needed to defend and made some adjustments … from that point of the game, I think it was 13 goals to four, until they scored a couple of late goals," Clarkson said.

The master coach admitted to being surprised by the Roos' tactics.

"We were flying very blind in the first 15 minutes of this game," Clarkson said.

O'Meara collected 31 disposals, 12 tackles and nine clearances despite battling a sore left hip. Up forward, Luke Breust ignored a lower back problem to boot five goals to also stand out.

Prized recruit Chad Wingard overcame a slow start to bag three goals in a performance that reminded Clarkson of a former Hawthorn superstar who terrified opposition defenders.

"Chad only needs five or six touches. He's a little bit like (Cyril) Rioli. Doesn't need much of the footy to turn a game your way," Clarkson said.

"He's an electric player and he gets his teammates up because of the special things he can do."

Hawthorn faces St Kilda at Marvel Stadium next Sunday.

Former captain Jarryd Roughead is expected to overcome a corked thigh and be available for that clash.

"We're not setting the world on fire…but it's a pretty tight competition, so two wins and one loss isn't too bad," Clarkson said.