MELBOURNE has made a winning start to 2018 as it chases a return to the finals, beating Hawthorn by 10 points to take out the second AFLX tournament in an entertaining clash at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

The Dees were the most impressive and attacking team across the night in front of 22,585 fans, going unbeaten through their two pool games before accounting for the Hawks 3.3.8 (56) to 1.5.6 (46).

It was a high scoring night of the shortened format, with North Melbourne setting a new high score for the competition (83), while 43 10-point 'Zooper goals' were kicked across the seven matches.      

Things tightened up in the decider, however, as the Demons and Hawks lifted their intensity in a spirited clash that went down to the wire, with the Hawks peppering the goals late before falling one 'Zooper goal' short. 

Melbourne won its way through to the Grand Final with big wins over Carlton and North Melbourne, playing a free-wheeling game on the converted rectangular pitch at Etihad Stadium. 

The Hawks beat Essendon comfortably and then came from behind against St Kilda in the final pool game to qualify for the decider on the back of some magnificent long goals from Daniel Howe and James Sicily. 

More to come  

GRAND FINAL
Melbourne 3.3.8 (56) def Hawthorn 1.5.6 (46)

POOL A
Game 1: Melbourne 7.1.6 (82) def Carlton 2.5.4 (54)
Game 2: North Melbourne 5.4.9 (83) def Carlton 5.2.6 (68)
Game 3: Melbourne 1.9.6 (70) def North Melbourne 3.2.4 (46)  

POOL B
Game 1: Hawthorn 3.6.7 (73) def Essendon 3.3.6 (54)
Game 2: St Kilda 2.5.2 (52) def Essendon 2.2.5 (37)
Game 3: St Kilda 2.5.5 (55) def Hawthorn 4.5.7 (77)