The Hawks currently sit in 10th spot on the ladder - one of four clubs with nine wins this season.

Only percentage splits Hawthorn from Greater Western Sydney (seventh), Geelong (eighth) and North Melbourne (ninth).

But Hawk forward Jack Gunston says it's pointless to get wrapped up in how the other clubs are faring.

"You get caught looking too far ahead and you will probably get caught watching other teams when they win or lose," Gunston said.

"You look at what you can control and that is Carlton this week.

"Yes, we're outside the eight. But we're just out on percentage so we need to put a few good games together.

"We're at a stage now where we need to be winning, we need to win more than we lose to be able to make finals.

"We have got to look no further than Carlton this week and really put in a strong performance and build from that."

The Hawks will be without star defender James Sicily when they meet the last-placed Blues at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Sicily has been ruled out for the rest of the home-and-away season after breaking a wrist in last weekend's loss to Brisbane.

"He has been a great player for us this year and really shored up our defence so it's disappointing to lose him, especially at the pointy end of the year," Gunston said.

Australian Associated Press