Hawthorn defender Stephen Gilham says the Hawks will have to get used to opposition sides lifting themselves against them now the team has taken over top place on the AFL ladder.

Gilham said Sunday's surprisingly difficult 19-point win over bottom-placed Melbourne at the MCG was a taste of what the Hawks could expect for the rest of the season, following their record-breaking 2008 season.

The Hawks have won the first nine games of the season for the first time in their history and are the league's only unbeaten team now, following a dramatic Round 9 in which Geelong and the Bulldogs suffered their first losses of the season.

Gilham, speaking on Monday as the Hawks began to prepare for Saturday's huge clash against the third-placed Bulldogs in Tasmania, said life on top of the ladder was something the Hawks were still getting used to adding Sunday's narrow win against Melbourne was definitely a wake-up call to the players.

"We are always trying to improve our game and that game (against Melbourne) showed we have still got a lot of improvement left in us," Gilham said.

"It (being on top of the ladder) is unchartered water for us as a side but again it's a learning process we need to go through and we keep learning this week."

"I think sides will come after us now and that is a good thing and we have to deal with that sort of pressure."

"We still feel we are maturing and learning as a young side and we are looking to improve each week."

Gilham said the Hawks are already bracing for a fired-up Bulldogs side, following their heartbreaking defeat against the Kangaroos on Sunday after skipper Brad Johnson missed a set shot for goal after the final siren.

"You never like playing against sides that have narrowly lost (the week before)," Gilham said.

"They will be analysing the game and looking for improvement where they went wrong so we know they will be keen to atone this week."