Full time

HAWTHORN will hit the home-and-away season with strong form behind them, after recording a 45–point victory against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

After an evenly contested first half, the Hawks powered away from the 2015 preliminary finalists following the major break.

In the final term, the Hawks kicked away early to put the result beyond doubt.

Todd Goldstein kicked the first of the last quarter to cut the margin to 30 points, but from there the Hawks took control.

Consecutive goals to Blake Hardwick, Luke Breust – his fourth - and Ben McEvoy extended the Hawks’ lead beyond 50 points by the midway point of the term.

Sam Mitchell tallied a phenomenal 45 disposals, while Josh Gibson (31 disposals) marshalled the back line with aplomb.

Wingers Isaac Smith and Bradley Hill were also influential, while Breust led a strong team effort in the forward 50. Jonathan O’Rourke did his chances of a Round 1 call-up no harm with another encouraging display.

HAWTHORN     0.4.2 (26)     0.7.5 (47)     2.13.7 (103)
NORTH MELBOURNE     0.6.2 (38)     0.8.6 (54)     0.12.8 (80)

Goals

Hawthorn: Duryea (supergoal), Schoenmakers (supergoal) Breust 4, Ceglar 2, Sicily 2, Gunston 2, Rioli, Hodge, Puopolo, Hartung, Hardwick.

North Melbourne: Petrie 3, Goldstein, Thomas, Brown, Ziebell, Cunnington, Garner, Dal Santo, Wright, Wells.

Three quarter time

A MASSIVE third term has allowed the Hawks to open up a -point advantage at the final change.

The Hawks kicked three goals in quick-time to start the term, with James Sicily slotting a set shot, before Jonathon Ceglar kicked truly on the run.

A third major a minute later to Cyril Rioli from 20 metres out extended the Hawks' margin into double figures for the first time since the opening term.

Drew Petrie found a reply for the Roos soon after, but from there the Hawks regained control.

Taylor Duryea unloaded from outside 50 for the game's first supergoal and Sicily added his second.

Only a few minutes later Gunston chimed in for another, with Ryan Schoenmakers following up with a monster super-goal to extend the Hawks' lead to 36 points. A late major to Luke Breust, his third, extended the lead even further, but Sam Wright pulled one back for the Roos on the siren.

Young Hawks Blake Hardwick and Kaiden Brand got their chance in the third term, after warming the bench in the opening half, while Luke Hodge did not return after a 17-disposal, one goal first half.

Sam Mitchell continued to find the ball with ease, taking his disposal tally to 32, while Josh Gibson (22 disposals) and Isaac Smith (23 disposals) continued to lead from the front.

HAWTHORN     0.4.2 (26)     0.7.5 (47)     2.13.7 (103)
NORTH MELBOURNE     0.6.2 (38)     0.8.6 (54)     0.10.7 (67)

Goals

Hawthorn: Duryea (supergoal), Schoenmakers (supergoal) Breust 3, Ceglar 2, Sicily 2, Gunston 2, Rioli, Hodge, Puopolo, Hartung
North Melbourne: Petrie 3, Thomas, Brown, Ziebell, Cunnington, Garner, Dal Santo, Wright.

Half time

THE lead changed multiple times in the second stanza, with Hawthorn hitting back after a late North Melbourne run in the opening term.

But the Kangaros found a response again late in the term, taking a seven-point lead into the major break.

Goals to Jonathon Ceglar and Billy Hartung gave Hawthorn the lead, before the Kangaroos and Hawks exchanged majors in the second half of the term.

Hartung missed a set shot from a similar spot earlier in the term, but made no mistake with his second effort.

Late goals to Ben Cunningham and Nick Dal Santo restored the Kangaroos' advantage. Lindsay Thomas could have extended the Roos' lead beyond two kicks near the break, but missed from point-blank range.

Sam Mitchell (20 disposals) and Luke Hodge (17 disposals) continued to have plenty of impact, combining for 37 disposals for the half, while defender Josh Gibson also found plenty of ball, racking up 16 touches.

HAWTHORN     4.2 (26)     7.5 (47)
NORTH MELBOURNE     6.2 (38)     8.6 (54)

Goals

Hawthorn: Breust 2, Hodge, Puopolo, Ceglar, Hartung, Gunston
North Melbourne: Petrie 2, Thomas, Brown, Ziebell, Cunnington, Garner, Dal Santo.

Quarter time

HAWTHORN had plenty of the play in the opening term, but were unable to convert that into an ascendancy on the scoreboard at the first break.

The Kangaroos kicked the final four goals of the term, taking a -point lead at quarter time.

Luke Hodge opened the scoring, kicking the Hawks' first from the goal-square, with majors to Luke Breust and Paul Puopolo increasing the lead.

But the Kangaroos proved dangerous on the counter-attack, running forward in numbers and finding space inside-50.

Consecutive goals to Taylor Garner, Jack Ziebell, Ben Brown and Drew Petrie saw the Kangaroos finish the term as the stronger side.

Sam Mitchell had 12 disposals, despite a tight tag, while Luke Hodge picked up 10.

HAWTHORN     4.2 (26)
NORTH MELBOURNE     6.2 (38)

Goals

Hawthorn: Breust 2, Hodge, Puopolo
North Melbourne: Petrie 2, Thomas, Brown, Ziebell, Garner