Hawthorn ruckman David Hale admits complacency hurt the Hawks in their surprise AFL loss to Richmond.

Badly needing a big scalp, the Tigers jumped Hawthorn and pulled away for an outstanding 41-point win on Saturday.

While it confirmed Richmond’s long finals drought is over, the match left the AFL’s top side collectively scratching their heads.

It came only eight days after Hawthorn had dismantled Essendon by 56 points, strongly suggesting they were right on track for their title tilt.

Asked what Hawthorn had learnt from last Saturday, Hale said: “You can’t be complacent – you can’t go into a game and just think it’s going to happen.

“You have to ‘turn up’ every week.

“The first quarter, we were probably lucky to be within three goals.

“If we come with the right mindset, we think we can match it with anyone.”

Hale added there was no physical letdown from the Essendon game.

He admitted Monday’s video review with coach Alastair Clarkson would probably be unpleasant.

Clarkson was philosophical post-match, noting Hawthorn’s form had been impressive since their last poor performance, also against the Tigers in round nine last year.

But Hale conceded there were likely to be some barbs from the feisty Hawks coach.

“I’m sure you guys would like to be a fly on the wall,” he said.

“Going through the tape, he might find a few things that he didn’t agree with too much.

“We served it up, so we have to cop what happens.”

Hawthorn are certain to bounce back hard, with Richmond coach Damien Hardwick saying he pitied their next opponents.

The Hawks play lowly St Kilda this Friday night at Etihad Stadium.

It’s their last “easy” game before the finals, with Collingwood, North Melbourne and Sydney to test the Hawks leading up to September.

“I’d say Clarko will have us pretty primed from the start this week, so it’s something where we have to bounce back,” Hale said.

“A lot of players were probably down on the weekend.

“The comp is so even this year, you just have to be off your game five per cent.”

Luke Hodge hurt his thumb in the Richmond loss, but Hale was hopeful the Hawks captain would not be sidelined.

“His fingers are all a little bit mangled … he’s always nursing something,” Hale said.