HAWTHORN’s 2008 season will turn the split-round corner sitting pretty at 12-2, but with plenty to think about after taking three quarters to overcome a struggling but tenacious West Coast at the MCG.

While the final 57-point margin would indicate an easy victory, it was anything but for the third-placed Hawks who had to scrap and fight every inch of the way in winning 18.18 (126) to 9.15 (69).

Only late in the game did the brown and gold break it wide open with a seven-goal final term to put the side back on the winner’s list after last week’s loss to North Melbourne.

Seemingly destined for a big win after leading by six goals at half time, the Hawks were outscored three goals to one in the third term but steadied when it mattered most thanks to its dynamic forward duo Jarryd Roughead and Lance Franklin who kicked 11 goals between them, keeping the Eagles at bay every time they looked threatening.

Roughead kicked four in the first half on route to six, while Franklin’s five-goal haul included the side's only major of the third term to steady the ship after West Coast opened the half with three quick goals to cut the margin to 19 points.

With West Coast deploying a flood to stem the tide in the wake if last week’s record loss to Geelong, the Hawks became their own worst enemy at times as skill errors and frustration mounted.

For most of the night Hawthorn had more handballs than kicks (but ended with four more kicks than handballs) as the Eagles guarded their defensive 50 with vigilance and numbers.

To combat the flood the Hawks’ handball happy tactics eventually infected West Coast who tried it themselves with even less success than the opposition.

Only when West Coast's legs tired late in the contest did Hawthorn find an easier passage through the sea of blue and gold.

Despite the efforts of Daniel Kerr who racked up a cool 40 possessions, Dean Cox (22 and 27 hit outs), Matt Priddis (45) as well as four goals to Ashley Hansen in a pleasing return to form, it was Franklin and Roughead, with some help from Brent Guerra, Michael Osborne, Shane Crawford and Trent Croad, who proved the difference.

Having kept the Eagle scoreless in the opening term the game to justify the $1.06 odds going in, the Hawks had all the answers early, and if not for inaccuracy would have led by six goals at the fist change.

They didn’t, and West Coast kept in touch for the next two quarters mainly through Priddis, Cox and Kerr, who carried as many teammates as they could.

In the end, though, the weight of passengers told.

While the win cements the Hawks in the top four, it left some unanswered questions as the side searches to rekindle its blistering early season form.

For West Coast it was a tenacious and spirited effort. Despite the margin it was light years better than the one that it offered up against the Cats.

Hawthorn  4.8  10.8  11.15  18.18 (126)
West Coast 0.4  4.8  7.11   9.15 (69)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Roughead 6, Franklin 5, Hodge 3, Osborne, Crawford, Williams, Birchall
West Coast: Hansen 4, McKinley 2, Hunter, Staker, Cox

BEST
Hawthorn: Roughead, Crawford, Franklin, Hodge, Croad, Mitchell
West Coast: Cox, Kerr, Priddis, Davis, Hansen, Houlihan

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Lewis (leg), Crawford (leg)

West Coast: Nil

Reports: Renouf (striking Selwood)
Umpires: Donlon, Farmer, Ryan
Official crowd:  29,138 at the MCG

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the club