HAWTHORN has recorded its first win of the 2009 premiership season after accounting for North Melbourne by 54 points at Docklands on Sunday.

The Hawks 19.9 (123) defeated the Kangaroos 10.9 (69) to avoid an unwanted record – becoming the first side since North Melbourne in 1976 to lose their opening three rounds following a premiership year.

Despite the victory, the match was marred by several injuries to both sides.

Hawthorn lost midfielder Xavier Ellis early in the match, when he hobbled from the field with an ankle injury. He was forced to the bench for the rest of the day.

Last year's Norm Smith Medallist Luke Hodge copped a heavy knock in the third term, but the tough-as-teak Hawk continued on. Classy defender Grant Birchall also played out the match, despite suffering a finger problem early on.

The Roos also had their share of problems. Big man David Hale was forced from the ground via the motorised stretcher at the 22-minute mark of the second term, after he crashed into teammate Lachie Hansen.

He was taken to the Epworth Hospital for precautions.

In the final term, midfielder Leigh Harding, who returned from a serious knee injury last year, hurt his knee again. Although he went to the sidelines, initially, it looked as if he would have to be carried from the field.

Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell, who was held by Sydney Swans co-captain Brett Kirk last round, bounced back with an excellent performance. He finished with 37 touches, including 20 in the first half.

Star forwards Jarryd Roughead (five goals) and Lance Franklin (four) caused plenty of headaches for the Roos, although their defence tried hard. Stuart Dew was also a key contributor with three majors and 24 touches.

Fielding a handful of youngsters, Queenslander Brendan Whitecross (29 disposals), playing just his third AFL match, was very impressive. Western Australian Jarryd Morton also played a fine match with 28 touches.

Brent Guerra, with a game-high 38 disposals, and Chance Bateman (29 touches and two goals) were also among Hawthorn's best.

For the Roos, Brady Rawlings claimed a team-high 35 disposals.

The match started in a see-sawing fashion, but Hawthorn had almost double the inside 50s North Melbourne did, resulting in a two-goal lead at the first change.

Roughead and Franklin had two each by quarter-time, with back-to-back Buddy goals coming in red-time.

North Melbourne regained the lead early in the second term, courtesy of Drew Petrie and Harding. But when Dew kicked his first at the seven-minute mark, the Hawks dominated the rest of the quarter.

Roughead had four by half-time and Franklin three, as the Hawks raced away to a 29-point lead.

The third quarter was almost a carbon copy of the second term.

North Melbourne opened the quarter with back-to-back majors in quick succession, closing the gap to 17 points.

But when Morton kicked Hawthorn's first in the second half, the reigning premiers landed five goals to one for the rest of the term. This gave the Hawks a 38-point lead heading into the final stanza. 

With a North Melbourne comeback seemingly unlikely by this point, the final term petered out with five goals added.

Hawthorn's win was a fine effort considering the likes of Brad Sewell, Trent Croad, Michael Osborne, Rick Ladson, Robert Campbell, Simon Taylor, Tim Boyle, Ben McGlynn, Beau Muston and Max Bailey were still sidelined.


The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.


North Melbourne    2.1 5.5 8.9 10.9    (69)
Hawthorn                  4.1 10.4 15.5 19.9 (123)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Petrie 2, Thomas 2, Firrito, Campbell, Harding, Wells, McMahon, Jones
Hawthorn: Roughead 5, Franklin 4, Dew 3, Bateman 2, Morton 2, Williams 2, Mitchell,

BEST
North Melbourne: Gibson, Rawlings, McIntosh, Firrito, Simpson, Swallow
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Roughead, Franklin, Whitecross, Guerra, Rioli, Dew, Bateman

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Hale (concussion)
Hawthorn: Ellis (ankle), Renouf (concussion)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Rosebury, Kamolins, Ryan

Official crowd: 34,893 at Docklands