HAWTHORN has held on against a brave Melbourne, with the reigning premiers drawing on their experience to win a wet weather tug of war by 18 points at the MCG on Saturday.
The Hawks were challenged for three quarters and trailed for long periods, but for the fourth time this season found a way to win in tight circumstances, prevailing 11.16 (82) to 10.4 (64).
Young forward Tim O'Brien and debutant Kade Stewart each kicked goals in the crucial last quarter, with the Hawks kicking away to win their eighth game of the season and embedding themselves in the top four race.
It was the reigning premiers' 13th consecutive win against the Demons, dating back to 2006 when Neale Daniher was Melbourne's coach.
Hawthorn's forwards were ultimately the difference, with Paul Puopolo kicking the fourth-quarter goal that broke the Demons' backs, and classy tall Jack Gunston kicking a game-high three goals in his 100th game for the Hawks.
Defender Josh Gibson was also a class above in defence, starring in his 200th game to finish with 18 possessions and five rebound 50s.
The midfield battles were enthralling, with Sam Mitchell (27 possessions and eight inside 50s) standing up in the wet and Isaac Smith (29 and nine) providing rare run.
Melbourne arguably had the best on-ballers on the ground however, with Bernie Vince (36 and 11 clearances), Dom Tyson (32 and nine) and Nathan Jones (31 and eight) combining to give the Dees a 51-39 advantage in clearances.
They were ultimately shadowed in the final term, with the Hawks' experience telling when it mattered.
The Demons jumped the Hawks with back-to-back goals in the opening 10 minutes of the game, but it was only a matter of time until the Hawks settled and asserted themselves.
Mitchell was the instigator for the Hawks in the midfield and classy teammates Gibson and Gunston joined him, with their skills allowing them to play dry weather football while the Demons fumbled in the wet.
The trio led a four-goal run as the reigning premiers built a 17-point lead at quarter time.
Melbourne adjusted after the first break, kicking longer and competing harder at the coalface, with Tyson leading the charge with 12 second-quarter possessions and a goal.
The Demons went on a five-goal-to-one run, getting on top in the contested ball and allowing key forwards Jesse Hogan and Jack Watts, who spent some time in the ruck, to get involved in the game.
Both Watts and Hogan would fade, however, finishing with three goals between them.
The Demons are now losing touch with the top eight and will fall two games behind Adelaide if the Crows beat St Kilda on Sunday.
HAWTHORN 4.5 6.7 8.14 11.16 (82)
MELBOURNE 2.0 7.2 10.2 10.4 (64)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Gunston 3, Breust 2, O'Brien 2, Rioli, Hill, Stewart, Puopolo
Melbourne: Kent 2, Watts 2, Dawes, Petracca, Hogan, vandenBerg, Tyson, Jones
BEST
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Lewis, Gibson, Birchall, Smith, Frawley, Gunston
Melbourne: Tyson, Vince, Jones, Watts, T.McDonald, Kent
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Jack Gunston (right ankle)
Melbourne: Nil
Reports: Bernie Vince (Melbourne) for striking in the fourth quarter
Umpires: Bannister, Ryan, Pannell
Official crowd: 41,833 at the MCG
