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

Goals: Hawthorn: Franklin 13, Breust 3, Young 2, Lewis 2, Rioli 2, Puopolo 2, Roughead, Smith, Hale
North Melbourne: Wright 3, Adams, Edwards, Atley, Petrie, Wells, Swallow

Best: Hawthorn: Franklin, Mitchell, Birchall, Burgoyne, Rioli, Sewell, Roughead, Breust
North Melbourne: Wells, Petrie, Wright

It was the Lance Franklin show the last time Hawthorn met North Melbourne, as the star Hawthorn forward booted a career-high 13 goals in his team’s thumping win over the Roos.

Franklin’s first goal didn’t come until the dying moments of an even opening quarter, which makes his ability to finish the game with 13 even more astonishing. 

The Hawks star went into the match with criticism about his inaccurate goal kicking on his shoulders, but he put that behind him as he monstered a hapless North Melbourne side that had no answers for the juggernaut that was Lance Franklin on that fateful cold and wet day in Tasmania.

Franklin finished the game with 23 possessions, 11 marks, six tackles and 13 goals.

But, as much as the day belonged to the Hawthorn superstar, he couldn’t have put in such a breathtaking and memorable performance without the help of his midfielders who gave him an endless supply of the football.

The Hawks smashed the Roos in all facets of the game, from contested possessions (164-143), to clearances (49-34), to disposals (377-286), to tackles (74-64) and to inside 50s (68-38).

It was a complete domination that many didn’t see coming at quarter time, when just seven points separated the two sides.

After quarter time, it was the work of Sam Mitchell and Brad Sewell in the middle that had the Hawks winning first use of the footy out of the centre. The pair finished with 56 disposals between them – Mitchell with 35 and Sewell with 21.

But, it was also the structure of Hawthorn’s defensive end that announced itself as a strength to the entire competition, with its ability to combine attack and defence.

Grant Birchall was outstanding with 28 possessions and eight inside 50s, while Brent Guerra gathered 24 disposals and Ryan Schoenmakers and Matt Suckling 21 and 20 disposals respectively.

Midfielder Liam Shiels did an outstanding job tagging gun Roos midfielder Brent Harvey, restricting him to only 14 touches and no influence on the game.

North Melbourne’s best was Daniel Wells who tried hard to provide run and carry all day, with 22 touches and four inside 50s.

It was a game that many Hawthorn fans will always remember while leaving many Kangaroos supporters fighting to forget.