Hawthorn sealed its first JLT Series win on Friday night, holding off the fast-finishing Cats to stay four points ahead at the final siren.

Isaac Smith had a successful outing, mustering 21 touches and kicking an important goal in the last quarter.

While Smith is satisfied the team was able to get the job done (largely thanks to an on-the-siren goal by Kade Stewart), he admits there is plenty to work on in the week ahead.

“We know that in JLT it doesn’t really matter if you win or lose, you just want to achieve the goals you set as a team before the game.”

“We obviously played really well in the first half, but in the second quarter they came out firing.”

“They got a run on, and we just couldn’t win the ball around stoppages, and it took until three quarter time for us to reassess and get back to even in that area.”

“When teams get a run on, you have to be able to stop them, so we will assess that during the week and find a way to fix it.”

Despite the second-half fade out, there was still plenty to like about the game. Smith was thoroughly impressed with the way the crop of young Hawks handled the challenge.

“I thought Kade Stewart and Lovey [Kieran Lovell] in the centre both played really well, and also Burto [Ryan Burton] up forward.

“Teia Miles used the ball really well, so it was really good signs with a lot of the young guys.”

The Hawks will head back to Melbourne on Saturday afternoon, and start their preparation for the clash against North Melbourne at Arden Street next Sunday.