THE LANCE Franklin show has returned to Etihad Stadium, with the superstar forward booting eight goals in Hawthorn's 56-point thrashing of Essendon on Friday night.

In a near-complete performance that stamped the Hawks' authority on the 2013 season, the ladder leaders ran out 22.11 (143) to 13.9 (87) winners in the top-of-the-table clash before 49,305 fans.

After two weeks on the sidelines with swelling behind his knee, Franklin looked like a caged lion released as he not only kicked, but chased, tackled and bullied the Hawks to victory.

It was the 26-year-old's seventh straight haul of four goals or more against the Bombers, taking his career tally against Hawthorn's bitter rival to 50 goals from 10 games.

Sam Mitchell, Cyril Rioli, Luke Hodge and, in his 249th game, Brent Guerra were also superb as the Hawks tightened their grip on top spot.

Trailing by 13 points midway through the first quarter, Alastair Clarkson's men wrestled control of the tempo and booted eight of the next nine goals, taking a 32-point lead into half-time.

Essendon came out fired up after the main break, with Jake Melksham reported for a high bump on Jarryd Roughead and Nick Kommer shoving Isaac Smith into the boundary fence.

The increased pressure briefly resulted in some scoreboard impact before Hawthorn re-gained control.

Somewhat lost given Franklin's display was yet another strong performance from Roughead.

He booted four goals of his own to move to 54 for the season and re-take the lead in the Coleman Medal race from West Coast's Josh Kennedy.

Afforded vastly fewer opportunities (the Hawks led the inside 50 count 66-40), Essendon's forwards were quiet, with only Michael Hurley (three goals) having any real impact.

Dyson Heppell and Brendon Goddard both tried hard for the Bombers, who missed the grunt work of injured skipper Jobe Watson.

Mitchell, having sat out last week with illness, was instrumental early with his ball use from half-back, with Guerra equally as damaging.

Rioli's influence did not show on the stats sheet, but his pressure around the football was irresistible and his run through the centre of the ground damaging.

On a night when almost every Hawk contributed, Jordan Lewis, Paul Puopolo and Shane Savage were other standouts.

It was the Hawks' fourth straight win over Essendon, and moved them two wins clear at the head of the ladder.

The Bombers will fall to fourth at the end of the weekend if Geelong and the Sydney Swans both win. 

Essendon: Melksham, Heppell, Goddard, Hibberd 

Hawthorn: Franklin, Mitchell, Hodge, Lewis, Guerra, Stratton, Roughead

Essendon: TBC

Hawthorn: TBC

 

Reports: Jake Melksham (Essendon) for rough conduct against Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn) in the third quarter.

 

Umpires: Nicholls, McInerney, Mollison

 

Official crowd: 49,305 at Etihad Stadium