HAWTHORN has overcome a case of goal-kicking yips to emerge with a convincing 65-point win over the Brisbane Lions at a wet MCG.
The Hawks kicked 19.21 (135) to 11.4 (70) to win their sixth game in seven weeks.
Hawthorn, which has earned a reputation as one of the most precise kicking teams in the competition, wasted many chances in front of goal and didn't manage to establish a comfortable lead until the third quarter.
The lead changed eight times in the first half before the Hawks asserted their authority over the Lions in the midfield, and it seemed only a matter of time until they flicked the proverbial switch and ran away with the match.
If anything the final margin flattered the Lions, and more could be read in to scoring shots (40-15) and inside 50s (71-41) than the scoreboard as an accurate reflection of the difference between the two teams, not to mention Hawthorn's incredible pressure that resulted in 96 tackles.
In slippery conditions, the more skillful Hawks stood out. Shaun Burgoyne enjoyed a return to the midfield, gathering 24 touches and kicking two goals.
Cyril Rioli as usual was damaging without posting huge numbers on the stats sheet while Matt Suckling's deadly disposal by foot and Ben Stratton's attack on the football and run from half-back were standouts.
Lance Franklin seemed to be down a little on his form of the past couple of weeks and opponent Matt Maguire looked to have at least matched him until the forward broke away to boot three final quarter goals to finish with five for the day.
Brent Guerra was in the wars, copping a heavy knock from Aaron Cornelius and receiving some friendly fire in the form of a wayward fist from teammate Sam Mitchell.
Add this to some hip problems and it was a day to forget for the left-footer. Not surprisingly, Guerra was subbed off for Bradley Hill in the third quarter.
After having a week off last week, the Lions were unable to build on its last-game win over ladder-leading West Coast.
After kicking six goals in a soggy first quarter, the Lions faded badly, kicking just five goals after the first change.
In just his fifth AFL game, Dayne Zorko was the Lions' best, booting three goals with limited options as a mid-sized forward.
HAWTHORN 4.6 8.12 12.19 19.21 (135)
BRISBANE LIONS 6.1 7.2 8.2 11.4 (70)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 5, Breust 2, Burgoyne 2, Puopolo 2, Gunston 2, Roughead 2, Hill, Mitchell, Rioli, Savage
Brisbane Lions: Brown 3, Zorko 3, Bewick, Cornelius, Polkinghorne, Raines, Rich
BEST
Hawthorn: Burgoyne, Suckling, Puopolo, Franklin, Mitchell, Roughead, Rioli
Brisbane Lions: Zorko, Rockliff, Hudson, Raines, Brown
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Guerra (hip)
Brisbane Lions: TBC
SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Bradley Hill replaced Brent Guerra in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Rohan Bewick replaced Jared Polec in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Schmitt, Armstrong, Pannell
Official crowd: 35,492 at the MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
