Melbourne's inspired charge to an unlikely Grand Final has taken another step with a 16.8 (104) to 10.11 (71) semi-final defeat of Hawthorn in front of 90,152 fans at the MCG on Friday night.

The Demon's win was once again driven by a high-pressure game that saw the Hawks unable to find clear space and time in which to play their usual game.

Despite leading the inside 50 count Hawthorn's forwards failed to remain composed, missing many scoring opportunities, none simpler or more costly than a Jack Gunston kick into the post that would have closed the margin to single figures late in the third quarter, but instead saw the ball quickly whisked to the other end of the ground and a Melbourne goal.

Three more quick goals to the Demons saw them hold a 32-point lead at the final break. A Hawks surge saw them get within two goals early in the final term but they couldn't maintain the pace.

Jack Viney led by example again, attacking every contest as if his - and his club's - life depended on it, while Tom McDonald (four goals) and Sam Weideman (two goals) kept presenting as targets up forward.

HAWTHORN   3.1   3.7   6.9   10.11 (71)
MELBOURNE  3.1   6.2  12.5   16.8 (104)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Gunston 3, Schoenmakers 2, Roughead 2, Worpel, Puopolo, Smith
Melbourne: T. McDonald 4, Weideman 2, Brayshaw 2, Melksham 2, Spargo 2, Petracca, Gawn, Neal-Bullen, Hannan 

BEST
Hawthorn: Gunston, Mirra, Howe, Shiels, Mitchell, Henderson
Melbourne: Viney, T.McDonald, Petracca, Jetta, Hibberd, Oliver 

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Mitchell (AC joint), Puopolo (hamstring)
Melbourne: Nil 

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Rosebury, Stevic, Nicholls

Official crowd: 90,152 at the MCG