IT WAS no surprise that on the biggest stage, the biggest Hawthorn names stood up and delivered.

Whether it was an instinctive overhead Sam Mitchell handball to get out of traffic or Luke Hodge spoiling Lance Franklin in a one-on-one marking contest, the Hawks leaders had their fingerprints all over the crushing 63-point triumph.

Jordan Lewis had 37 disposals, Norm Smith medallist Hodge had 35, Mitchell 33 and Jarryd Roughead kicked five goals.

Others followed, but it was the tried and tested who busted the game wide open.

Lewis said it was no coincidence the experienced Hawks led from the front when the heat was on.

"We've played 10 years of football together, you know each other inside out," he said.

The 28-year-old came to the Hawks in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft alongside Roughead, while Hodge and Mitchell came three years earlier in the 2001 crop.

They battled some hard times together but can now lay claim to the most successful team of the past decade with flags in 2008, 2013 and now this year.

"That's the beauty about playing in games like this," Lewis said. "You don't have to question where they're (Mitchell, Hodge, Roughead) going to be.

"They're my great mates now and we've shared in three premierships together.

"I can't explain it, it's just the happiest moment of your life."

When the game was still up for grabs in the first two quarters, Hodge and Mitchell ensured the Hawks had one hand on the premiership cup at half-time with virtuoso performances.

Hodge was everywhere. His intercept-and-goal from a Gary Rohan kick-in and spoil on Franklin in the dying seconds of the half will live long in the memory.

Mitchell had game highs in tackles (nine) and clearances (seven) and even went forward to set up a goal for Roughead.

While they aren't 'original' Hawks, veterans Josh Gibson (32 touches while watching Franklin and Kurt Tippett) and Shaun Burgoyne (24 touches including 10 in a rampant first quarter) also set the tone.

"We had a bit of hurt in 2012 - we really wanted to make amends for that," Lewis said.

"To go back-to-back is such a terrific effort. We had a lot of adversity throughout the year, key players gong down, so to come to the end of the year and win the Grand Final like we did is a super effort."

Gibson said the Hawks leaders took their responsibility seriously.

"We pride ourselves on trying to set the right example for our younger guys so when they come into the team they feel comfortable, they know their role and it's easy," he said.

"I thought our leaders led from the front today and when you do that, the kids follow. It was just a supreme team effort."