HAWTHORN has put another dent into Gold Coast's precarious season, winning a thrilling contest at People First Stadium on Friday night by 16 points.

With the teams separated by just seven points at the final change, the Hawks effectively put the game to bed with a devastating four-goals-in-four-minutes burst to open the final term.

SUNS V HAWKS Full match details and stats

Despite the Suns fighting and scrapping until the end, as they did from the opening bounce, the visitors won 17.11 (113) to 14.13 (97) to solidify a top four spot.

The loss was a fourth straight for Damien Hardwick's team, and with a 7-7 win-loss record and a trip to Optus Stadium to play League leaders Fremantle next Sunday, the top 10 is suddenly in grave doubt.

Fresh off its bye, Hawthorn was magnificent, killing Gold Coast at centre bounce (20-12) and punishing their mistakes.

Jai Newcombe led the midfield charge, with eight of his 10 clearances coming from the centre and a night that yielded 30 disposals and two goals.

Will Day continued his return to top form, with five clearances from 21 touches and a lovely running goal, while Josh Ward (27 and seven clearances) was also a key part of the Hawks' centre square domination.

Any time the Hawks needed a goal, they invariably won a centre clearance and got the ball forward.

Dylan Moore (four goals) and Nick Watson (three) were deadly in the forward half of the ground, with the 'Wizard' again providing his trademark staple of highlight goals.

After a week in the media spotlight, the Suns were full of effort and energy, but once trailing by five goals in the second quarter, could never really get over the hump.

Noah Anderson (43 disposals) battled hard, while Joel Jeffrey (34) and Mac Andrew (11 intercepts from 26 touches) were influential.

After looking on the ropes in the first 15 minutes against a wound-up Suns, Hawthorn threw a huge haymaker late in the quarter with five quick goals.

Mitch Lewis banged a set shot from 55m, then Moore, Blake Hardwick, Watson and Newcombe all finished superbly to give the Hawks a 22-point advantage.

Watson's goal was ridiculous, as he zoomed past Jeffrey, gathered and dribbled in traffic from an angle at full speed.

The lead got out to a game-high 34 points early in the second quarter before the Suns ground their way back into the contest with five consecutive goals either side of the main break.

Jarrod Witts snapped truly and Leo Lombard had the home crowd roaring when he converted from the right boundary.

The third quarter was another back-and-forth affair with highlight plays from both teams.

Watson again turned a half chance into a goal, but two lovely deliveries inside 50 from Bodhi Uwland and a goal on the stroke of three quarter-time to Christian Petracca set the match up for a grandstand finish.

GOLD COAST    3.1   7.5   11.8   14.13 (97)
HAWTHORN     6.5   8.7   12.9   17.11 (113)

GOALS
Gold Coast: Long 4, Walter 2, Lombard 2, Witts, Petracca, Miller, King, Humphrey, Holman
Hawthorn: Moore 4, Watson 3, Newcombe 2, Chol 2, Macdonald 2, Lewis, Hardwick, Ginnivan, Day

BEST
Gold Coast: Jeffrey, Andrew, Anderson, B.Uwland, Long, Murray
Hawthorn: Newcombe, Moore, Watson, Day, Battle, Ward

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Rioli (jaw)
Hawthorn: Impey (hamstring), Amon

Crowd: 19,576 at People First Stadium