Champions: "This is a low point for us"

The Illawarra Hawks' Championship defence is in serious danger, reaching a new low on Saturday when they lost by 40 points to South East Melbourne.

Although team co-captain Tyler Harvey is confident his squad can turn it around, he admits he and the playing group need to be accountable and learn from this 1-4 start, which has them sitting in last spot after five rounds.

"We walk away [from the defeat] very disappointed, because as players it's our job to perform out there, especially after the coaching staff had us so well prepared," Harvey said in Saturday's post-game press conference.

"That falls on me, as I have to get [our group] better prepared. This is a tough league and if you come in too relaxed, you're going to get your butt kicked.

"Thankfully it's early in the season but we need to find a way for our lows to not be so low. Like if we're only down by eight and not 23, you give yourself a better chance to come back into the game.

"We haven't found that equilibrium yet as a team, and I think that's one thing that we're struggling with at the moment, but it's going to come together.

"It's a low point right now for us, but the good thing is that you can only bounce back from it. It does hurt right now, and it is embarrassing, but you know, you look adversity in the eye, you look yourself in the mirror, and you figure it out, man.

"That's what we're going to do. We're all seasoned pros."

The Hawks have been hurt by injuries to Will Hickey and Sam Froling, while JaQuori McLaughlin was released by the club recently, leaving a vacant import spot.

Their next chance to respond is on Saturday when they head to Perth for an Indigenous Round clash with the Wildcats, tipping off AT 8PM AEDT, live on ESPN.