HAWTHORN forward Luke Breust says forward pressure was the key to the Hawks getting back into the game before running away with a 55-point win over Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.

The Hawks were outplayed in the first quarter and a half, with the Magpies out tackling and out pressuring the Hawks in all facets of the game.

That pressure forced the Hawks into uncharacteristic turnovers and, consequently, a 20 point deficit midway through the second term.

But, it was Hawthorn’s ability to break even at stoppages and lock the ball inside 50 that was the key to the Hawks closing the gap between the sides at half time – with one point separating the two sides at the long break.

The Hawks out tackled the Pies in the final eight minutes of the second term, laying 12 tackles to six, resulting in three unanswered Hawthorn goals.

Breust says the ability to “collapse” on the Collingwood defence and break even at the stoppages was the key to Hawthorn’s late second quarter success.

“That was definitely the key, we knew if we could just lock it in our forward line, then it gives us the best chance to score and that’s what we did,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“We ended up getting a few forward 50 stoppages in a row and really locked it down, putting a lot of pressure on them. That’s what made us get the momentum back heading into half time.

“Early on we were a little bit off, but I think the biggest thing was we got a couple of clearances and we able to break even in the clearances in the first half.

“We were then able to get it going forward and from there collapse in on them.

“That’s what helped us to get back into the game, that second 15 minutes of the second quarter.”

When Hawthorn are chasing and tackling inside its offensive 50, its playing its best football.

Breust admits the pressure was missing in the opening quarter and a half on Sunday, but once it got its pressure game going, the players could feel the momentum shift.

“You can feel it, you know when it’s on (our pressure). If you get a turnover goal or a chase down tackle that results in a goal, that’s when you know you’re really on,” he said.

“Early on in the game we probably didn’t have any of those and then late in the second quarter and in the second half we were much better.”

He says applying that pressure gives the whole team a lift.

“Even the players can feel the momentum shift,” he said.

“If Cyril does a great chase down tackle or ‘Poppy’ (Paul Puopolo) or any other player, it lifts the whole team, especially if we get a goal out of it, that’s even better.”

Quiet in the first half, Breust finished the game with 13 disposals and three goals – all kicked in the second half of the game as the Hawks overran the Pies.

He says a move into the midfield was the spark for his second half blitz.

“I was floating there a bit in the first half but to get three goals in the second half and have an impact was pleasing, especially when I didn’t have much of an impact in the first half,” he said.

“Probably that pressure (was the turnaround) -  hitting in, tackling and hitting bodies gets you into the game.

“I also spent a little bit more time in the midfield in the second half - splitting my time between forward and midfield you don’t have that one player sitting on you the whole time which helps.”

For the second week running, the Hawks overran its opposition in the second half.  

First, it was an eight goal to three final quarter to defeat West Coast in Perth in Round 2, then on Sunday, a 15 goal to seven second half against Collingwood.

Breust says the team’s ability run out games has been a positive so far this season, particularly when it’s against a quality side like Collingwood.

“It has been pleasing the last couple of weeks, especially when Geelong ran over the top of us in Round 1,” he said.

“The last two weeks we’ve been in the game at half time and we knew we probably hadn’t played our best footy and to come out in the second half and really run over them (Collingwood) was good.”

Luke Hodge was one of Hawthorn’s best in the win over the Magpies, gathering 31 disposals and kicking two goals.

Breust says the captain is an important player to have in the side, particularly when things aren’t going Hawthorn’s way.

“He’s a great player, it’s great to have him back. He does it so well that no matter where you put him, he gives his all,” he said of Hodge.

“He can play across half back or go into the midfield and play that sort of ‘bull’ role that he does that really gets the momentum swinging back our way.”