Second-bottom after a one-point win over Essendon and four competitive losses, the Hawks have shown promise without hitting top stride so far this season.

Following tight losses to mid-table pair Geelong and Fremantle, Hawthorn matched it with unbeaten Melbourne for three quarters on Sunday before a last-term blowout.

Adelaide's return to form means things won't get any easier come Sunday, but the return to the biggest fortress in AFL history will come as some solace for the rebuilding Hawks.

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"It's been really frustrating that we've shown some really good signs and been in every game that we've played in ... just about every game there's been a small patch that's really let us down," captain Ben McEvoy said.

"The old cliché - if we can put four quarters together, we know we're every chance to win games.

"It's frustrating for us but this group hasn't played a lot of football together, so if we're patient and keep looking for the little wins and improvements the results will take care of themselves.

"While in no way do we accept mediocrity or losses - we want to win games of football - we have to be realistic about where our group's at as well."

Wooden-spooner last season, Adelaide has found form to win six of its last eight games.

Sunday's 12.30pm Anzac Day clash will be the Crows' sixth visit to UTAS Stadium - and their first since 2010 - having been Hawthorn's first-ever Launceston opponent in 2001.

Stopping skipper Taylor Walker, who has led the Crows' resurgence with 22 goals in five games, will be key to the Hawks' chances.

"They've played some really good football this year," McEvoy said.

"Credit to them - they've been able to turn things around a bit after a really tough year last year.

"Tex [Walker] is up and going and he's a real barometer for them - that spiritual leader if you like - so they're certainly going to be tough."

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

Sunday's game will have a maximum crowd of 9750 - three quarters of the stadium's seated capacity - due to coronavirus restrictions.

The restrictions mean UTAS Stadium's lowest-ever AFL crowd of 9007 (Hawthorn v Gold Coast, 2018) could well be in jeopardy, although the spectacle itself will be worthy of a much higher number.

McEvoy encouraged fans to use Sunday's game to get acquainted with the Hawks' next generation of stars, including exciting defender Changkuoth Jiath, wingman Harry Morrison and forward livewire Tyler Brockman.

"We saw four games from Tyler Brockman and he's very young, he's only 18 years old and has a lot to learn but that was really valuable for him to get some experience and exposure at AFL level," McEvoy said.

"Also in the forward line Dylan Moore has been really impressive, he's had a great summer and has looked a lot more comfortable.

"Jacob Koschitzke has been really impressive in the way he's competed.

"He hasn't played much at AFL level either so he's got a lot to learn, but that's awesome for us because the blue sky ... he's already been so impressive.

"And everyone's loved CJ [Jiath] in the backline.

"He's a really exciting prospect and if he can keep improving and working on his consistency hopefully he'll be a great player for us for a long time.

"He's got that real X-factor about him out of the back end and I think the fans really love watching that."