1. Hawks click into gear

In the first half, it was a real scrap. In the second half, the Hawks piled on 12 goals to two to run out 70-point winners.

As has been the case on numerous occasions this season, when the Hawks needed to lift, they did – and it was an emphatic lift at that.

2. Defenders fly under the radar

While much of the focus was on Sam Mitchell in his 300^th game, the Hawks’ defence had an outstanding game.

For the second time this season, the Hawks held an opposition side under 50 points, with Josh Gibson, Grant Birchall and Ben Stratton all extremely influential.

3. Whitecross slots in

It took Brendan Whitecross 16 weeks in 2016 to earn his AFL opportunity, but he looks determined to hold his place.

After a strong performance against the Swans, Whitecross kicked the first goal against the Tigers – finishing with 18 disposals (at almost 90 per cent efficiency) and nine marks to make an important contribution.

4. Magic Mitch

Is there anything left to say about Sam Mitchell that hasn’t been said repeatedly over the past week.

The man is a superstar – and it was fitting that in game 300, he racked up 38 disposals, earning loud cheers from the 50,000-strong crowd for each disposal late in the game.

5. Perfect position

With five rounds to go, the Hawks couldn’t be in a better position – two games clear at the top of the ladder, with matches against Carlton, Melbourne, North Melbourne, West Coast Eagles and Collingwood to come.

Three more wins would all but guarantee a top-four finish, while four would seal a top-two berth as the Hawks’ pursuit of an historic fourth consecutive flag continues to gain momentum.