JARRYD Roughead steered Hawthorn to its 16th victory of the season, booting five goals as the Hawks cruised to a 46-point win over St Kilda on Friday night at Etihad Stadium. 

In a game that went exactly how most expected, the Hawks won every quarter and ran away with a 14.18 (102) to 7.14 (56) victory. 

The Saints showed some resistance early but were ultimately overwhelmed by a Hawthorn outfit with too much skill, speed and firepower.

It was the sort of encounter that strengthened calls for the home and away season to be shortened. Predictable and flat, it is unlikely to be a best seller at the Name A Game DVD sales. 

The Hawks were far from their devastating best, but it was an important bounce-back victory after last week’s disappointing loss to Richmond. 

St Kilda now appears certain to finish third-last on the ladder with three rounds to play. 

With captain Luke Hodge and spearhead Lance Franklin watching from the sidelines, the game offered an opportunity for other Hawks to place themselves in finals contention.

It also gave coach Alastair Clarkson a chance to try a few things.

Cyril Rioli started in the middle, athletic tall Sam Grimley showed his run and dash, Matt Spangher contested, and Jonathan Simpkin was courageous in the air and neat with the ball. 

Shane Savage and Taylor Duryea took the chance to impress. Savage had 30 clean disposals, while Duryea gathered 21 – the most of his fledgling career – and made good decisions off half-back. 

The pair was among a host of usual suspects to play well for the Hawks, headed by Shaun Burgoyne (29 disposals) and Sam Mitchell (24). 

Roughead's five-goal haul left him equal with West Coast’s Josh Kennedy atop the race for the Coleman Medal with 59 goals. 

Jack Steven (33 disposals) was busy for the Saints through the midfield and continued his consistent season, and veteran Leigh Montagna had 35. Captain Nick Riewoldt held nine marks and offered plenty of leads in a typically hard-working display. 

With a plan to play on at every opportunity, the Saints started well, and looked to unsettle the Hawks in the early moments. 

Steven won the ball at the stoppages and also burst away from them, and he wasn’t alone – the Saints had 39 contested possessions in the first term to Hawthorn's 18. 

The stat isn't always seen as a measurement of effort, but in the first quarter it certainly told a story: one of a side with finals on its mind, and another keen to end a disappointing season well.  

Stand-in captain Jordan Lewis gave his side a stern address at the first break, and it seemed to have an influence, with the Hawks kicking five goals in the second term to establish a 37-point lead at the main change. 

By half-time the Hawks had entered their forward 50 on 27 occasions and scored 21 times. Not for the first time this season, the Saints' undermanned defence struggled to keep up. 

The substitution of backman James Gwilt at half-time didn't help that cause, but the Hawks never really blew St Kilda away. They just did what was required. 

It was hard not to think they weren't setting themselves for next Friday's meeting with Collingwood at the MCG, a game likely to provide a far better pre-finals test run.  

Reports: Nil

 

Umpires: Margetts, Stewart, Kamolins