HAWTHORN skipper Luke Hodge and vice-captain Jordan Lewis know they let their teammates down with ill-disciplined incidents which have them facing suspensions, Hawks veteran Sam Mitchell says.

Hodge is certain to come under the Match Review Panel's scrutiny for a rash elbow to North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow's head in the first quarter, while Lewis has already been reported for striking Todd Goldstein for a late hit in a marking contest.

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Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson and his North counterpart Brad Scott were tight-lipped about the incidents after the game, but Mitchell said the two on-field leaders regretted their actions.

"Those two guys knew ... that they let everyone down. They were the first ones to put their hands up and say 'sorry boys, it won't happen again'," he told 3AW after the Hawks' 60-point win. 

"We were probably a little bit undisciplined throughout the night, we gave away a lot of free kicks needlessly.

"It's something we pride ourselves on, trying to be one of the most disciplined sides in the competition, so that's something we'll look at during the week."

Having lost three of their four opening quarters this season, Clarkson said the Hawks were keen to get out of the blocks against the Roos.

He was pleased with the reigning premiers' "endeavour and hunt on the footy", but distanced himself from any suggestions the Hawks wanted to make a physical statement. He also declined to give his view on Hodge and Lewis' indiscretions.

'Two bulls going at each other': Clarkson

But both coaches pointed out the match was a spirited contest between two willing outfits and, speaking to AFL.com.au, Hawks midfielder Isaac Smith echoed those sentiments.

"I don't know if they (Hodge and Lewis) were trying to make a bit of a statement, I think North Melbourne were giving as much as they were getting early on," he said.

"That's footy and you're going to have little hits and niggles. You don’t really want to go over the top but it was a nice physical game."

North skipper Swallow bore the brunt of the physicality, although his coach didn't think the Hawks had specifically targeted the midfielder.

Apart from the Hodge blow, the Roos skipper also copped a whack to his stomach from Taylor Duryea, and he was the meat in the sandwich in a Sam Mitchell and Ben Stratton tackle in the third term.

Swallow had to be substituted out of the game while he was checked for concussion and, although he returned briefly, was handed the red vest soon after.

"You don't want to see him cop knocks in the head regularly, but if clubs think they can ruffle Andrew Swallow's feathers then they're mistaken," Scott said.

While Swallow is expected to be fit to face Richmond in round six, Hodge and Lewis face anxious waits until the MRP hands down its findings from round five on Monday.

Hawthorn faces Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium next week, ahead of clashes with Melbourne and then the Grand Final rematch against the Sydney Swans at the MCG..