If you thought Hawthorn's premiership defence was under threat heading into this round, then Friday night's loss to Essendon at Etihad Stadium would have confirmed it.

The Hawks were completely outplayed after half-time, with the Bombers kicking 11 goals to four in the second half to run out comfortable 44-point winners.

It was the Hawks fourth loss of the season and it now sees them slip out of the eight and with plenty of work to do if it is to finish the year with a coveted top four position.

And as if a seven-goal defeat to Essendon wasn't bad enough, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson revealed after the match that he may be without another two key players for the coming weeks.

With a large portion of their premiership side already missing through injury, Clarkson said Norm Smith medalist Luke Hodge may need to spend some time on the sidelines to help heal a persistent adductor strain, while key running player Chance Bateman could also miss some games after he strained his calf against the Bombers.

Clarkson said Hodge had been playing despite his injury during the past month, but the club may need to look at giving him a two or three week break.

"He (Hodge) has been playing sore and we will need to make a decision on him over the course of the next week whether we keep playing him or give him a rest for two or three weeks to get it right.," Clarkson said after the Hawks loss.

"He as tried over the best part of a month to carry this injury and he has been well below his best."

"He is such a leader and he is as tough as a bull. He never wants to miss games of footy and he has just been able to get away with it over the past three or four weeks. We will make a call over the next two or three days on whether we keep him going."

Clarkson revealed Bateman strained his calf in the opening moments of the game against Essendon and that the 27-year-old attempted to play on in a hope that the injury was just a corkie.

Just how long Bateman will be sidelined for is unclear at the moment, but Clarkson did not want to use injuries as an excuse for his side's poor second half against the Bombers.

"We missed Bateman's run as he was shot by the second quarter," Clarkson said.

"But I don't want to use injuries as an excuse. I don't want to take anything away from Essendon. They took the game right up to us and full credit to them."