Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell has labelled his club's start to its premiership defence as 'diabolical' saying the Hawks are lucky they are even within striking range of the top eight with a third of the season now gone.

The Hawks' shock loss to Essendon on Friday night was the club's fourth loss in seven games this season yet the club remains in ninth place and outside the top eight on percentage only with just one game separating teams three to 14 on the AFL ladder.

Mitchell says the Hawks have to turn around their season quickly if they are to be a serious premiership threat in 2009.

"We are fortunate we are sitting ninth considering we are 3-4," Mitchell admitted on Monday.

"We have had a diabolical start to the season."

"We have lost games we should have won and even some of the wins we have had have been lucky."

"We haven't played anywhere near our best football but hopefully we have got our best football ahead of us."

Mitchell said the Hawks could not use injuries as an excuse even though the club is yet to field its first choice back six this season while coach Alastair Clarkson has had to make constant changes to the team each week because of injury.

"It (injuries) is not an excuse - we have still got six defenders playing every week and it's a bit of a cop-out to say it is just injuries that is costing us."

"Even if we had our full contingent (of players) on the weekend and played the way we did, we still wouldn't have won so it's not an excuse."

The Hawks suffered more injury woes on Friday night with Norm Smith Medalist Luke Hodge (groin) and Chance Bateman (calf) in doubt for Friday night's trip to Fremantle.

"Chance and Hodgey will have to undergo some fitness tests and scans the next couple of days to see how they have pulled up but neither has been ruled out (at this stage), which is a good start," Mitchell said.

Mitchell said Hodge had 'pulled up better than even he thought he would so hopefully he can play (against Fremantle).'

"He is one of those guys that just loves playing and wants to get out there so it will take a fair bit to keep him off the track," Mitchell said of his vice-captain.