Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell said team-mate Mark Williams had a 'brain explosion' when he made a choking gesture after kicking the sealer against Port Adelaide in Launceston on Saturday.

The Hawks forward grabbed his throat after booting the final goal of his team's come-from-behind win in what was an imitation of his Port Adelaide namesake's famous celebration after the Power's 2004 Grand Final victory.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson immediately ordered Williams to apologise to the Port Adelaide coach, saying it showed a clear lack of respect.

Port captain Warren Tredrea on Monday said Williams had tried to ring half the Power team in an attempt to apologise.

Mitchell said Williams was 'shattered' after the game and regretted his actions.

"He was very disappointed with his own actions and it was just a brain explosion. He was very remorseful straight away," Mitchell told a large media pack at Waverley Park on Monday morning.

"It wasn't like it had to be explained to him, he was pretty upset straight away."

Mitchell said there was still room in the game for characters but that goal 'celebrations' should be done in a more positive way.

"It's certainly a colourful part of our game that we wouldn't want to take completely out of it but it's got to be aimed in a positive light," he said.

The Hawks skipper, who was concussed during the game but came back to star with 27 possessions, said the team's ability to come back from more than six goals down showed a greater resolve and willingness to work for each other.

"We had a fair bit of faith in what we've been able to do," he said. "Against the Kangaroos we'd been down for most of the day so we had a fair bit of belief and faith in each other and our game plan and we were able to come back late in that game and come over the top of them in that game."

"We look back at that experience and think we've got the run in the legs and I think our final quarters have probably been our best. It just shows that we've matured as a group and that we're able to have the faith in each other to come back late in games."

Brent Guerra will have scans on his injured hamstring on Monday afternoon but is likely to miss at least two weeks.