COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse says a lack of intensity was the reason behind his side’s second-half fadeout against Hawthorn.

The Magpies led Hawthorn by 11 points at half-time before falling away to eventually lose by 45.

“I thought we were not anywhere near the intensity we’ve played in the past. You just don’t get away with that in today’s football,” Malthouse said.

“It doesn’t matter who you are or what you are. You have to be able to maintain a very good standard right throughout the year otherwise you lose games of footy.”

Malthouse closed the doors and spoke to his players at length after the game but would not reveal details about what was discussed.

“We always have a meeting after the game. It can be as long as you like to make it. Closed doors are closed doors for one reason,” he said.

“It’s not just me that is in there. There are medical staff and other people. It’s not unusual to have a chat about the game, nor what’s coming up, nor what is required during the week at training.”

The loss ended Collingwood’s seven-game winning streak and Malthouse said the game showed the desperation of the Hawks, who are just outside the eight.

 “I thought we dominated at stoppages for a start. They ran the ball far better than us. They played like a side that was outside the eight and wanted to get in,” he said.

“We played like a side that had won seven games and had too many blokes that were not satisfactory.”

The loss means the Magpies have fallen behind the Bulldogs and Adelaide on the ladder as the three sides battle for two top four spots.

But Malthouse says the threat of running into Hawthorn in week one was not a motivating factor for finishing in the top four.

“It’s not about who you run into in the finals. We don’t go out of the way to finish fourth because we don’t want to run into Hawthorn,” he said.

“You try to finish in the top eight first then you try to finish in the top four. Clearly it is an advantage over finishing fifth or eighth. The first step is to make the eight and we are not in the eight yet.

“We’re currently occupying the position but I’ve always said the one time you have to worry about the ladder is round 22. It’s the work you have to do in between. And we’re far short of what we need so far.”