The Hawks - last year’s grand finalists - have slipped two games out of the top five ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Mount Pleasant at Hy-Line Australia Oval.

“I’ve said to the boys this week that it doesn’t matter whether we win, lose or draw on Saturday, as long as we don’t produce what we did last week... that’s not the standards we expect from each other or what our supporters and volunteers expect,” Fiske said on Friday.

“Hopefully, last week might be the kick into gear that turns things around for us.”

The Hawks produced a similar shocker against North Bendigo in round seven, last year, before rebounding the following week with a strong win over Colbinabbin.

“Hopefully, we get a similar response again, but it’s up to the playing group,” Fiske said.

“We can talk about wanting to improve, but we’ll see if the playing group wants to make something of the season.”

While the Hawks are defensively on par with the same time last year when they sat third on the ladder, they are averaging 30 points less per game.

Mount Pleasant is also coming off a hiding after losing to North Bendigo by 77 points last week.

Meanwhile, after Saturday’s game, Mount Pleasant will hold a “Super Sports Night” at the Kangaroo Flat Leisure Centre from 7.30pm.

Guests will be cricketer Brad Hodge, Carlton assistant coach Dean Laidley and football writer Mark Robinson.

Tickets cost $40 and are available from the door.