FOUR goals to Jack Gunston in his 100th game has helped Hawthorn to a 72-point win over the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.
The 21.8 (134) to 9.8 (62) victory was set up by a 10-goal second quarter, which took the Hawks to the main break with a 34-point lead at Launceston's Aurora Stadium.
Gunston was valuable in attack throughout the free-flowing game and found good support.
Along with standout efforts from ever-reliable forward Jarryd Roughead, who finished with three goals and 30 disposals, and Liam Shiels (34 disposals), the Hawks didn't suffer from the absence of skipper Luke Hodge (suspension) and Sam Mitchell (illness).
The victory keeps Hawthorn in third place on the ladder, while the Lions remain on the bottom with one match remaining.
It was a quick-fire start for the Hawks with Matthew Suckling kicking a goal in the opening 30 seconds on the first play of the day.
But the Lions appeared determined not to let the favourites run away early and quickly replied.
Pearce Hanley was on the end of a nice chain of possessions for the Lions, and more goals came from Luke McGuane, Jed Adcock and skipper Tom Rockliff.
The Hawks seemed stifled and the Lions went to the first break 15 points ahead.
It was to be a short-lived lead, however, with the Hawks returning for the second quarter to pile on 10 goals, including an impressive Isaac Smith bomb from outside 50.
After displaying early confidence, the Lions lost their rhythm, giving away possession through repeated errors as Hawthorn dominated.
The Hawks shared the spoils with 12 players kicking goals, including James Frawley who finished with three.
For the Lions, skipper Rockliff was the standout, with a goal and 45 disposals.
Stefan Martin had 40 hit-outs while McGuane and Adcock finished with two goals each.
HAWTHORN 1.3 11.4 15.5 21.8 (134)
BRISBANE LIONS 4.2 5.6 8.8 9.8 (62)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Gunston 4, Roughead 3, Frawley 3, Suckling 2, Sicily 2, Burgoyne, Hill, Smith, Shiels, Rioli, Hale, McEvoy
Brisbane Lions: McGuane 2, Adcock 2, Green 2, Rockliff, Hanley, Robinson
BEST
Hawthorn: Shiels, Gunston, Lewis, Roughead, Hill
Brisbane Lions: Robinson, Rockliff, Martin, Christensen, Zorko
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Brisbane Lions: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Billy Hartung replaced Isaac Smith in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Liam Dawson replaced Justin Clarke in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Chris Kamolins, David Harris, Troy Pannell
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Report: Hawks score 72-point win against Lions
