After their outstanding upset win last Friday night over Collingwood, they will start favourites on Saturday when they host Fremantle in Launceston.

The Hawks are only two games plus percentage out of the eight with seven rounds left, but before the Magpies result they had lost four-straight.

They have not posted consecutive wins since the end of last year's regular season, followed by a straight-sets exit from the finals.

"We haven't done it this year, it's really important for us, no doubt," ruckman Ben McEvoy said.

But the Hawks have not been horrible this season, either.

Their biggest losing margin is only 36 points and the week before the Collingwood win, they went within a goal of upsetting West Coast.

Pushing last year's grand finalists in consecutive weeks is a positive sign for Alastair Clarkson's oft-repeated line about the search for the next silverware.

"The last fortnight has been reassuring, that we're not far off," McEvoy said.

"The last two weeks, we've put in the level of effort required, consistently, to be top-four standard.

"If we can bring that level of application every week, we'll win more often than not."

McEvoy also noted that regardless of what the rest of this season holds, it is crucial the Hawks keep pushing.

Two years ago, Hawthorn won four of their last six games and that set them up for last season's top-four finish.

"It's important we apply ourselves, regardless of what the ladder situation looks like," he said.

In late April, McEvoy re-signed for another season and the 29-year-old is enjoying a solid year.

Last Friday night was also McEvoy's 200-game milestone and he enjoyed a solid game against Magpies star Brodie Grundy.

Now one of the Hawks' most experienced players, the former St Kilda ruckman looks around and likes what he sees.

"It's been a significant period for this club over the last couple of years, after things were so steady for a long time," he said.

"It (the midfield) is nearly completely unrecognisable, as far as personnel changes.

"But every week, we're getting more used to playing with each other, so there's a lot of upside."

On Saturday McEvoy will cross paths with former Hawthorn player Bradley Hill, amid rumours the midfielder might want a return to his old club.

"Hilly's always welcome back here in brown and gold," McEvoy said.

Australian Associated Press