COLLINGWOOD had too many passengers in its 54-point loss to Hawthorn on Friday night, according to Magpies midfielder Scott Pendlebury.

The Pies were left to ponder three straight losses after a disappointing outing against the Hawks, who moved to second on the ladder with the victory.

Few players put in four-quarter performances for Collingwood, while forwards Paul Medhurst, Travis Cloke and Dale Thomas were all well held.

"We’ve got to rely on everyone to do their bit and last night we had a little too many passengers and we get found out when that’s the case," Pendlebury told Melbourne radio station SEN on Saturday morning.

And the concerted team effort so evident in the Magpies' early season games has been sorely lacking for many weeks.

"We obviously need 22 guys [contributing] as we don’t have that superstar like Buddy Franklin," Pendlebury said.

"I probably think five or six guys were down on their usual output which hurts … and we have to really find a way [to lift] and other players have to step up when that happens."

The Hawks set the tone for the night, booting two goals in the first few minutes of the game to stun Collingwood; a side expected to respond strongly after falling short of Essendon and North Melbourne.

"We were a little bit shell-shocked at quarter time, but in the second quarter we restored a bit of faith in what Mick (Malthouse) wanted and the same in the third," said Pendlebury, who helped stage the mini-revival to finish the match with 24 touches.

"We were only 10 points down half-way through the third quarter and I think sides just get a run on too quickly against us.

"We want to go into the last quarter in a position to win not trying to chase a side from six or seven goals behind."

Collingwood’s position in the top eight is under threat, and it could slide out this round subject to other results.

That's why Pendlebury identifies next Saturday night's clash against fellow finals contender St Kilda as "make or break".

"We’ve got to get past the Hawthorn game and look forward to [St Kilda]," he said.