Hawthorn co vice-captain Emily Bates has taken out the club's MVP award in her first game as a Hawk. 

Bates was voted the Hawks' best by fans as she amassed a team-high 18 disposals to go with a match-high 15 tackles. 

Along with four clearances, the 27-year-old made an immediate impact in the brown and gold, despite her team going down by 19 points to Essendon at Kinetic Stadium, Frankston. 

Speaking to the media post-game, Hawthorn Captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd had nothing but praise for their teammate.

"Batesy's a class act and she proved it on the inside," Lucas-Rodd said.

"She was really loud and experienced and led the way in terms of that pressure at the source."

Bates will be hoping to back up her big performance on Sunday when the Hawks travel to MARS Stadium, Ballarat on Sunday to face the Western Bulldogs at 1.05pm.