HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson said his side was not "overly impressive" in its 32-point win over Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

The Hawks trailed Port Adelaide for the majority of the match in a scrappy affair, only snatching the lead from the Power just before three-quarter time after a goal by midfielder Chance Bateman.

Hawthorn then found an extra gear to cruise away from the fading Power in the final term, with two goals each to both Lance Franklin and substitute Shane Savage icing the result.

With most teams struggling the week following the bye so far this season, Clarkson admitted the performance was well below par against a struggling Power outfit.

"It [the win] wasn't overly impressive in terms of us dominating the play," said Clarkson.

"We know that we are going to need to play much, much better than what we did tonight if we're going to challenge some of the really good sides in the competition."

Hawthorn was outplayed by a more desperate Port Adelaide outfit in the opening half, recording 25 fewer possessions than the home side and losing the contested possession count 66-53.

The Power were out to make a statement following a tumultuous fortnight, with question-marks over the club’s culture and desire being raised after dispiriting losses to Gold Coast and North Melbourne. But Clarkson, a former assistant coach at Port Adelaide, was not going to underestimate the resolve of his previous club.

"Despite everything that's been said in the press, we've got a very high regard for the Port Adelaide Footy Club," he said.

 "What we saw tonight, particularly early, didn't surprise me one bit."

"They had the ascendancy over us in the whole first half."

"They are very proud footy club."

However, for all of Port Adelaide’s good work in the opening half, the Power could not convert its dominance on the scoreboard, with scores level at the main break.

Clarkson conceded his side was “fortunate” to still have a chance of winning the match midway through the third quarter.

"Some of our runners started to get into the game [and] I reckon Port started to tire a little bit,” he said.

"We were really pleased we were able to grind it out and get ourselves a victory."

The win was Hawthorn's first at AAMI Stadium since round 12 in 2008, and only their fourth win against Port Adelaide at the venue.

"It's a tough place to come and play footy, particularly at night,” Clarkson said.

"In the context of that ... we are really pleased with the victory."

Max covers news from AAMI Stadium for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_MaxPhillips