SHANE CRAWFORD was reported for the second week in a row as the Hawks lost to Essendon in their NAB Challenge match at Casey Fields in Melbourne's south-east on Saturday.

Crawford, who will already miss the season opener against the Brisbane Lions after accepting a one-match ban for striking Fremantle's Peter Bell last Saturday, was booked again, this time for using abusing and insulting language to an umpire.

The former Hawks skipper and Brownlow Medallist was one of four players to have their numbers taken as the Bombers won by 10 points - 10.15 (75) to 9.11 (65).

Hawk Luke Hodge went into the book twice: in the second term for striking Bombers spearhead Matthew Lloyd, and again in the last quarter for charging Damien Peverill.

Essendon had David Hille reported for striking Beau Muston and teammate Kepler Bradley facing a charge of making forceful contact to the head of Grant Birchall.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said he was hopeful Hodge would be available for round one.

"We're always concerned when players are reported ... it's not the ideal situation," he said.

In more disappointing news for the club, skipper Richard Vandenberg felt some lower back tightness in the first quarter and left the field, while Ben McGlynn required a visit to hospital for stitches after a head clash in the second term.

Clarkson said Vandenberg was taken off as a precaution.

"He had that injury a little bit over the summer and he had been unable to present himself for as many trial games as we would have liked. So we'll just wait and see how he pulls up during the week," Clarkson said.

"He's had some discomfort there for the last six weeks or so."

Better players for Hawthorn included Sam Mitchell (32 possessions) and Hodge, who finished the afternoon with 24 touches.

Franklin and Mark Williams each kicked three goals.

Hawthorn kicked five unanswered goals in the second term to hold a 28-point lead at half-time but the Bombers responded with a seven-goal-to-one third quarter to run away with the contest.

ESSENDON 1.5 1.8 8.12 10.15 (75)

HAWTHORN 1.4 6.6 7.8 9.11 (65)

Goals: Esssendon: A Davey 3 M Lloyd 2 M McVeigh D Peverill C Dempsey H Slattery S Lucas.
Hawthorn: M Williams 3 L Franklin 3 B Dixon T Boyle C Young.

Best: Essendon: J Hird A Monfries A Davey H Slattery M McVeigh.
Hawthorn: S Mitchell L Hodge L Franklin J Lewis C Young.

Injuries: Essendon Nil.
Hawthorn: B McGlynn (head) R Vandenberg (back).

Reports: D Hille (Ess) by umpire T Pannell for striking B Muston (Haw) in the 2nd quarter, K Bradley (Ess) by umpire M James for making forceful contact to head of G Birchill (Haw) in the 2nd quarter, L Hodge (Haw) by umpire L Farmer for striking M Lloyd (Ess) in 2nd quarter and by umpire M James for charging D Peverill in 4th quarter, S Crawford for using abusing and insulting language to an umpire in 4th quarter.

Umpires: M Ellis T Pannell L Farmer M James.

Crowd: About 3500 at Casey Fields Cranbourne