HAWTHORN has put its interstatehoodoo to rest and run Port Adelaide off its feet with a brilliant 34-pointvictory at AAMI Stadium.

Superbly led by Sam Mitchell(35 possessions), the Hawks won 17.7 (109) to 10.15 (75).

Tim Boyle kicked five goalsfor the Hawks, while Ben McGlynn and Lance Franklin bagged three each, as theHawks outscored the Power by 55 points after quarter-time.

The win cements the Hawks’position in the top four, but more importantly, cleared a number ofpsychological hurdles. The Hawks hadn’t beaten Port since 2001, had won onlyone of their past 15 trips interstate (excluding matches at the club’sTasmanian base) and won just twice at AAMI Stadium since 1994.

Mitchell was simply superb,working tirelessly after an emotion-charged Port had run out to a 27-point leadearly in the second term.

A crucial sequence of fourgoals in seven minutes to McGlynn, Michael Osborne, Lance Franklin and LukeHodge saw the margin back to two points. From there it was goal-for-goal untilthe Hawks put together a sequence of three (Brent Guerra from 50, Brad Sewellafter a visionary Hodge pass and McGlynn again) to hit the lead and finish thehalf nine points in front.

Mitchell (10 possessions forthe term) was instrumental in getting the Hawks going forward, with greatsupport from McGlynn, a deadly Shane Crawford and Jordan Lewis. Their effortssaw the Hawks have almost double the Power's inside-50s (15 to eight) for theterm, and it was reflected on the scoreboard, with a 36-point turnaround in thesecond quarter.

From that point, the Hawksnever lost control, with Port’s inaccuracy (2.9 for the second half) cruellingtheir chances of seriously challenging.

Port’s early emotionalintensity was typified by young tyro Steven Salopek, who crashed into JoelSmith while running with the flight of the ball in Port’s forward line.

Salopek sacrificial act sawhim carried off on stretcher, inspiring his teammates and fans. But – in thelong term – Port lost Salopek’s drive (he had six disposals and three inside-50sto that point) and paid for it.

It was a disappointing dayfor the Power, who were rocked during the week by the death of coach MarkWilliams’ mother, Von. Mrs Williams, wife of Port legend Fos, is regarded asPort’s “matriarch” and was honoured by a message on the Port banner and theplayers wearing black armbands.

Jarryd Roughead and XavierEllis were late inclusions for Trent Croad and Rick Ladson, and when the Hawkslost Ben Dixon after 12 minutes, Roughead – who was best on ground for Box Hillin the VFL yesterday and flew into Adelaide this morning – was required to playmany more minutes than first expected.

The Hawks host Sydney (5-5)next Saturday afternoon at the MCG, then meet Carlton on Friday night beforetheir mid-season break.

HAWTHORN  2.2  10.3  13.5  17.7 (109)

PORTADELAIDE  5.5  8.6  9.12  10.15 (75)

Goals
Hawthorn: T Boyle 5, L Franklin 3, B McGlynn 3, L Hodge 2, J Lewis, M Osborne, BSewell, B Guerra. Port Adelaide: J Westhoff 3, D White 2, S Salopek, B Lade, SBurgoyne, B Ebert, C Cornes.

Best
Hawthorn: S Mitchell, S Crawford, T Boyle, B McGlynn, L Hodge, B Guerra, J Lewis.Port Adelaide: C Cornes, S Burgoyne, J Surjan, K Cornes, S Salopek.

Injuries
Hawthorn: T Croad (foot)replaced in selected side by X Ellis, R Ladson (back) replaced in selected sideby J Roughead, B Dixon (hamstring). Port Adelaide: S Salopek (broken nose,blurred vision).

Reports: J Westhoff (Port Adelaide) reported byfield umpire K Nicholls for charging C Young (Hawthorn) in the fourthquarter.

Umpires:M Vozzo S Wenn K Nicholls

Officialcrowd: 23,945 at AAMI Stadium.