HAWTHORN has moved another step closer to a top-two berth after defeating fellow top four side Sydney Swans by 89 points at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
The Hawks exploded out of the blocks with the only six goals of the first quarter and maintained their effort across the four quarters to notch a 23.8 (146) to 7.15 (57) victory.
The win extends the Hawks' winning streak to eight matches, and lifts the dual reigning premiers above the Swans into third spot on the ladder.
Usual suspects Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis all saw plenty of the ball, but Cyril Rioli stole the show with three goals and a couple of spectacular marks.
Jarryd Roughead returned to the side with a five-goal haul, while Jack Gunston booted three goals in the Hawks' strong first quarter on his way to four for the match.
The game was in the Hawks' favour at quarter-time - with the visitors kicking six goals to the Swans' nil.
Hawthorn kicked the first of the second term to make it seven in a row, before a Lance Franklin-inspired Swans roared to life.
Franklin booted three in a row - including his 700th career goal - as the Swans closed to within 18 points.
But the Hawks finished the half with two crucial late goals and when Rioli booted his second in the opening minute of the third term, the margin was out to 36 points and there proved to be back for the Swans.
Hawthorn ran out the game strongly, booting seven goals in the third term and another six in the last to round off another impressive victory.
Franklin finished the match with three goals, while Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery and Adam Goodes all had strong games through the midfield for the Swans.
SYDNEY SWANS 0.2 4.5 6.12 7.15 (57)
HAWTHORN 6.1 9.5 16.7 23.8 (146)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Franklin 3, McVeigh, Parker, K. Jack, Kennedy
Hawthorn: Roughead 5, Gunston 4, Rioli 3, Breust 2, McEvoy 2, Hale, Smith, Litherland, Schoenmakers, Shiels, Puopolo, Suckling
BEST
Sydney Swans: Kennedy, Parker, Hannebery, Goodes, Jetta, McVeigh
Hawthorn: Rioli, Birchall, Hodge, Roughead, Mitchell, Gunston
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Craig Bird (calf/achilles), Tippett (hand)
Hawthorn: Bradley Hill (corked calf) replaced in selected side by Angus Litherland
SUBSTITUTES
Sydney Swans: Zak Jones replaced Craig Bird in the second quarter
Hawthorn: Billy Hartung replaced David Hale in the last quarter
Reports: Ted Richards for engaging in rough conduct on Sam Mitchell in the first quarter
Umpires: Stevic, Hosking, Pannell
Official crowd: 37,369 at ANZ Stadium
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