HAWTHORN has fine-tuned its preparations for 2016 with an impressive 45-point win over North Melbourne on Saturday night, a victory that was set up by a vintage third quarter and a 45-possession haul by evergreen midfielder Sam Mitchell.
North led the Hawks by seven points at the main break after a hard-fought first half at Etihad Stadium, but the reigning premiers found another gear in the third term, ramming on seven goals – including two supergoals – to the Roos' two to set up a 2.16.11 (125) to 0.12.8 (80) victory.
Mitchell toyed with the Roos at times through the midfield despite the attention of North tagger Ben Jacobs, while fellow veteran Luke Hodge was just as effective in the first half (17 disposals and one goal) before the Hawks took the luxury of resting him for the final two quarters.
The Roos took the game right up to the Hawks in the first half and would have been buoyed by the continued good form of Daniel Wells (a team-high 24 possessions and one goal) in his return from two injury-plagued seasons.
However, the Roos struggled to move the ball fluently when Hawthorn upped its pressure in the second half, regularly turning the ball over by foot.
Todd Goldstein sent a scare through North supporters late in the second term, when he went to the interchange bench and received attention from trainers, who seemed to be assessing his lower right leg.
But the 2015 All Australian ruckman played out the remainder of the game and finished with 13 possessions, 28 hitouts and one goal to be one of North's best players.
Hawk forward James Sicily had an opportunity to press his case for a round one berth in the absence of injured vice-captain Jarryd Roughead.
Sicily kicked two goals, but the contested marking of ruckmen Jonathon Ceglar (two goals) and Ben McEvoy (one) against the Roos underlined the fact the Hawks aren't short of options to fill the hole left by Roughead.
Luke Breust kicked four goals for Hawthorn, while Josh Gibson racked up 31 possessions in the back half.
Emerging Hawks midfielder Billy Hartung received treatment after copping a knock to his left knee early in the second quarter. Hartung played out the quarter, but spent nearly all of the second half on the bench seemingly as a precaution.
Drew Petrie was one of North's best players, kicking a team-high three goals before being rested in the final term.
North skipper Andrew Swallow battled hard all night at the stoppages, while Jamie Macmillan kept his composure in defence despite the Hawks' dominance.
Sam Mitchell continues to defy age, picking up 45 disposals on Saturday night. Picture: AFL Media
WHAT WE LEARNED
Hawthorn: It's been an experimental Hawks' forward line minus Jarryd Roughead during the NAB Challenge, but with Jack Gunston back we got our best look at what Alastair Clarkson is thinking - and Luke Hodge could be central to his plans. The skipper was stationed up forward for lengthy periods in the first half and Hodge's aerial ability makes him a difficult match-up, not to mention the obvious leadership he will bring to the attack.
North Melbourne: The Roos' best line-up looks settled and, importantly, set to be fully fit leading into a huge round one clash against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium. Daniel Wells was typically slick in his second game back, while Shaun Higgins (knee) and Robbie Tarrant (back) should be fine to take on the Crows. North hasn't won a season-opener in six attempts under Brad Scott, but there seems no better time for the Kangas to make amends.
NEW FACES
Hawthorn: Crafty half-forward Blake Hardwick spent the first half on the bench but got a run immediately after the long break and presented at the ball strongly. Hardwick confidently kicked a late set shot goal and a 2016 debut seems a realistic target for the draftee.
North Melbourne: It didn't take long for Jed Anderson to face his old club for the first time, a match the classy youngster would no doubt be happy to have out the way. Anderson produced some cameo efforts, dumped good mate Bradley Hill in the third quarter and was lively forward of centre.
NEXT UP It's time for the real deal, with the Roos set to host Adelaide at Etihad Stadium in search of their first round one win in their seventh season under Brad Scott. Hawthorn has a lengthy 16-day break before an Easter Monday blockbuster against a rejuvenated Geelong at the MCG.
HAWTHORN 0.4.2 0.7.5 2.13.7 2.16.11 (125)
NORTH MELBOURNE 0.6.3 0.8.6 0.10.7 0.12.8 (80)
NAB SUPERGOALS
Hawthorn: Duryea, Schoenmakers
North Melbourne: NIl
GOALS
Hawthorn: Breust 4, Sicily 2, Gunston 2, Ceglar 2, Hodge, Puopolo, Hartung, Rioli, Hardwick, McEvoy
North Melbourne: Petrie 3, Thomas, Ziebell, Garner, Brown, Cunnington, Dal Santo, Wright, Goldstein, Wells
BEST
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Gibson, Shiels, Smith, Breust, Ceglar, Hodge
North Melbourne: Wells, Goldstein, Petrie, Ziebell, Atley, Dal Santo,
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Hartung (knee), Shiels (wrist), Duryea (hip)
North Melbourne: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Findlay, Jeffery, Mollison, Brown
Official crowd: 8,894 at Etihad Stadium
