While they weren't able to add to their win tally against Melbourne University Lightning on Sunday, results in other games have assured the Hawks of a top-four finish.

The Hawks’ Championship division team was unable to repeat its breakthrough Round 6 win against the Lightning a second time around.

With the Hawks having beaten the 2016 premiers and 2017 grand finalists 57-43 when the teams met two months ago, the contest shaped as the match of the round between the competition’s first and third-placed sides.

But a rampant first half from the Lightning took the heat out of the contest early, with the Hawks consigned to just their second loss of the season.

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The Hawks matched their opposition in the opening exchanges, with the scores locked at 9-9 midway through the first quarter. But from there a disciplined Lightning outfit put their foot down, scoring 11 of the next 13 goals to lead 20-11 at quarter-time.

Their dominance continued in the second quarter, with the score pushed to 39-20. The third quarter saw Division 1 player Chloe Sinclair make her Championship debut as the Hawks began to score more freely, splitting the quarter 15-15, but the Lightning hit the accelerator again in the final term to win 71-46.

After 15 rounds and with three games remaining, the side is on top of the ladder on 50 points, three wins clear of City West Falcons and DC North East Blaze, who sit in fourth and fifth. But with Blaze and Falcons to play each other in Round 18, finals are now guaranteed for the Hawks.

The Hawks also remain a game clear of both the Lightning and the Geelong Cougars, who the Hawks play in the final round of the season.