Hawthorn has suffered an 8.16 (64) to 0.6 (6) loss to reigning premiers, Melbourne at Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon.

The match was the Hawks’ second practice match of the season and followed a promising match simulation hit-out against the Western Bulldogs last week.

The Demons fired out of the blocks early on Saturday afternoon, flexing their muscles as one of the teams to beat in the competition.

It meant the Hawks leaders needed to stand up early, with Emily Bates, Jasmine Fleming and Tilly Lucas-Rodd doing their best to drive the ball out of the middle.

Akec Makur Chuot began the game in a lively manner on the wing, creating energetic run and carry.

Young gun Mattea Breed also found herself at stoppages, balancing her time inside 50 with stints in the ruck, impressing with her endeavour at the contest.

However, the Dees managed to open the scoring with three goals in the first term, leaving the Hawks defence to stand up.

It was a much-improved effort from the backline in the second quarter, with Tegan Cunningham and Mackenzie Eardley taking multiple intercept marks.

Eardley was particularly impressive in her first game of the year, more than holding her own against some of the competition’s best forwards, including Tayla Harris. 

Moreover, her booming kick allowed the Hawks speedsters to run onto the ball and get into space.

Unfortunately, that didn’t lead to much scoring, as the Dees continued to dominate and lead at the half.

The Hawks came out of the main break with a bit more endeavour, locking the ball in their forward half and holding Melbourne goalless for the third term.

A contested style of footy was deployed to shut down the Demons, but it wasn’t enough to keep them at bay for the fourth term as well.

In the end, Melbourne ran away as 58-point winners following four final-quarter majors.

Hawthorn AFLW Senior Coach Bec Goddard said there were plenty of learnings to take out of the contest.

“It was a tough contest and I think sometimes you’ve got to get punched in the face to know how you can be better and how you’re going to respond to that next time,” Goddard said.

“We do get a chance later in the season to play against Melbourne and work on some things that didn’t go well for us today.”

With two pre-season hit-outs under their belt, the Hawks now turn their full attention to Round 1, where they’ll host Essendon at Kinetic Stadium, Frankston on Saturday 2 September.

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