It is a standard that triple-premiership player Liam Shiels believes they can maintain, starting with their return home to University of Tasmania Stadium against St Kilda from 1.45pm on Saturday.

“Last week really was just a great step in the right direction for us, as it was our most consistent performance for the season,’’ the 25-year-old told Fairfax Media.

“Just on the day, for the first time this year we had 22 contributors, and everyone really played their role, which was something we had missing.

“But that was the first stepping stone for us really, and that is something we spoke about on Monday about that needing to be the way we play going forward.”

But Shiels, who with 147 games under his belt is one of the leaders of Hawks’ midfield in the post-Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis era, knows that Alan Richardson’s Saints won’t be a pushover.

St Kilda has come closest to ending Hawthorn’s stranglehold on the Launceston venue.

The three point margin in the round four contest last season the Hawks’ tightest win in their 19-game winning streak.

“We’re were pretty lucky to get over the line in that one,’’ Shiels said reflecting on a contest that took place only 23 home and away games ago.

“We know again that St Kilda are just going to have a red hot go, and we really need to make sure we keep an eye on their midfield, and they have really developed again since last year.

“But we do love coming down to Tassie, as we do think we really do have an advantage there.”

The 15th placed Hawks will enter with 1-4 record, while 11th-placed Saints [2-3] are coming off a 38-point loss to Geelong.

Shiels described his season as being reflective of the Hawks’, with last week his first real four-quarter effort of the year.

“To me, like the team, it was about getting back to basics,’’ he said.

“But it was really good to get some confidence back and get some consistency back in my game. But, like the team, I know it was only the first step for me.”