Watch the Top 5 Fans' Highlights from the Round 10 win in the HawksTV player above.

Hawthorn 5.2 12.5 20.10 27.12 (174)
North Melbourne 4.1 6.4 7.4 9.5 (59)

Best: Hawthorn - Franklin, Mitchell, Birchall, Sewell, Puopolo, Hale.
North Melbourne - Wells, Grima, Wright, Adams.

Crowd: 16,143 at Aurora Stadium

It was all about Buddy at Aurora Stadium on Saturday, as the Hawks full forward enjoyed a day out that AFL fans have not seen in a long time.

Heading into the game, Franklin had been widely criticised for his inaccuracy in front of goal, but Coach Alastair Clarkson had belief that his star full forward would “work out” his goal kicking woes.

There was more to the win though, as the Hawks' midfielders and defenders were able to dominate their opponents. It was the Hawks’ ability to get Franklin the ball in one-on-one situations to use his superior strength to outmuscle his opponent. It took the Hawks a quarter to do this, however, as the opening term was not what Clarkson would have wanted from his team.

Long bombs into the 50 that were easily marked by North Melbourne players was the story, as Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Cyril Rioli all failed to have an impact in the opening term. Kangaroos’ ruckman Todd Goldstein was influential to start the match, filling the hole in front of the Hawks’ forwards, taking three marks in defensive 50. 

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott’s strategy of getting players back to help the defence was working, and their offence was working just as well. The Kangaroos shot out to a two goal lead, but it was short lived. Three goals in the final minute of the opening term spelt trouble for North Melbourne as Sam Mitchell, Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli stepped up.

It was the clearance work of those three players that allowed the Hawks to move the ball quickly, with devastating effect. It was not until midway through the second term, however, that the Hawks’ domination at the stoppages was the clear catalyst for the Hawthorn avalanche.

The Hawks scored five straight goals from stoppages in the opening 15 minutes of the second quarter, as Mitchell (three clearances), Brendan Whitecross (three), Brad Sewell (three) and Burgoyne (two) led the charge. The Hawks had 12 more clearances than the Kangaroos at half time, 26-14 and when Buddy was using that domination to full effect, alarm bells were ringing.

Franklin kicked five of his 13 goals in a devastating second term, overpowering his opponent Luke Delaney. It was also the forward pressure though, that enabled the Hawks to completely blanket the Kangaroos.

The third term was even more impressive from the Hawks, as every player was able to pull their weight and impact the contest. In the opening six minutes, the Hawks limited the Kangaroos disposals to just six as forwards were given endless supply.

The Kangaroos failed to enter their forward 50 until three minutes remaining in the term, as the Hawthorn forward pressure was insurmountable. The Hawks has 23 inside 50s to three, managed 13 scoring shots to one as Franklin booted a further four goals to extend the Hawthorn lead.

The final term was even more enjoyable for fans, as the Hawks piled on a further seven goals to two to notch an incredible 115-point win. It was a complete domination from quarter time onwards, as the Hawks smashed their opponents in all facets of the game.

The Hawks smashed North Melbourne in the clearances, 49-34, translating to 30 more inside 50s (68-38). The Hawks even out tackled the Kangaroos, 74-64 underlining their desire to win the footy at all costs. That desire was further underlined in contested possessions, notching 21 more than the Kangaroos and an overall possession deficit of 91 (377-286).

Credit is also needs to be given to Hawthorn hard man Brad Sewell who completely blanketed the number one clearance player in the competition, Andrew Swallow. Swallow managed just 16 disposals for the match, while Sewell managed to grab 21 possessions himself, six clearances and nine tackles at 71 per cent efficiency - an impressive game from the midfielder.

What Alastair Clarkson said: “We had a point to prove, we were dreadful last week and as a coaching staff and a playing group we took stock throughout the course of the week and just wanted to get back to the basics of how we want to play our footy - and that was tough and hard.

“Irrespective of the final result for us, it was our effort and our attitude this week that we brought.”