In a Tweet

It was wet and far from pretty but we account for the Demons by 18 points! Lewis and Smith had 29 touches each, Gunners bags 3 goals.

The Rundown

Hawthorn overcame a gallant Melbourne side who lead at half time to record an 18-point victory in a wet and sloppy affair at the MCG.

After the Demons kicked the first two goals of the game, the Hawks responded by kicking the next five and looked likely to run away with another win over the Dees.

Melbourne hit back in the second and third quarters to regain the lead, before the Hawks stamped their authority on the match and kicked the final four goals of the game to claim victory.

Jordan Lewis, Isaac Smith and Sam Mitchell led the disposal count for the Hawks, while Jack Gunston, Tim O’Brien and Luke Breust all kicked multiple goals.

The Star

Jordan Lewis was in his element in the wet, racking up 29 disposals (11 contested) as well six clearances and five inside 50s in a polished display.

The Moment

Scores were level halfway through the last quarter, before Luke Breust found debutant Kade Stewart in space with a handball. Stewart gathered the ball then snapped the goal on his right foot for his first goal at AFL level.

The Coach

“We were really pleased with the way we ground the game out and found a way to win in pretty difficult conditions.” – Alastair Clarkson

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