HAWTHORN has held off an extraordinary second half charge from Carlton to win by 12 points and secure a top-four finish in front of 52,052 fans at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

The Hawks were harder, more organised and used the ball better in the first half, restricting Carlton to just one goal while booting seven of their own.

But after trailing by 45 points five minutes into the third quarter the Blues finally sprung to life, booting the last four goals of the term to cut the margin to just 20 points at the final change.

Brett Ratten's men then had most of the momentum in the final term and drew to within 12 points when the outstanding Kade Simpson booted back-to-back goals early in time-on, but the Hawks did just enough to run out 10.18 (78) to 8.18 (66) victors.

Defender Josh Gibson was instrumental in Hawthorn's dominant first half display, collecting 11 quality disposals and seven spoils as Carlton's forward thrusts repeatedly went unrewarded.

The Hawks also took a decisive opening-half victory in the battle of the blue-chip midfields, with Blues skipper Chris Judd managing only six disposals in the first two quarters, while Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis (running with Judd), Isaac Smith and Liam Shiels dominated around the ground.

Coleman Medal leader Lance Franklin finished with four goals to be the dominant forward on the ground, and a decisive influence.

Alongside Simpson, the Blues gained good service from Marc Murphy and Heath Scotland.

Star full-back Michael Jamison, returning from a seven-week knee injury, was all at sea in defence during the first half, but played a large part in his team's resurgence when switched forward in the second.

He booted just one goal - the first of his 69-game career - but his ability to create a contest for Carlton's fleet-footed crumbers proved critical.

The result extended Hawthorn's winning streak against the Blues to eight.

Hawthorn  4.4  7.10  8.14  10.18 (78)
Carlton  1.4  1.8  5.12  8.18 (66)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 4, Smith 2, Whitecross 2, Breust 2
Carlton: Garlett 2, Walker, Simpson, Robinson, Yarran, Jamison

BEST
Hawthorn: Lewis, Gibson, Hodge, Smith, Franklin, Hale
Carlton: Simpson, Murphy, Scotland, Carrazzo, Jamison

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Gibson (left hamstring)
Carlton: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Breust  substituted for Bateman during the third quarter
Carlton: Ellard substituted for Armfield during the third quarter

Reports: Nil

Umpires: C.Donlon, B.Rosebury, J.Schmitt

Crowd: 52, 052 at Etihad Stadium

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs