First quarter: Hawthorn 5.4 (34) to Melbourne 1.1 (7)
The opening term was a frustrating one for the red and blue.
Melbourne had more disposals (but overused the ball with handballs), clearances, contested possessions, and was just pipped on the inside 50 count during the first term, but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard.
As a result, the Demons managed one goal to five, as Hawthorn led by 27 points at quarter-time.
Cam Pedersen was Melbourne’s only goalkicker, when he marked and converted at the 11-minute mark.
Michael Hibberd and Bernie Vince had 11 disposals each, as Luke Hodge and Will Langford had eight each for the Hawks.
Second quarter: Hawthorn 8.7 (55) to Melbourne 4.2 (26)
Jack Viney landed Melbourne’s second to start the second term.
But when Jack Gunston became the first multiple goalscorer and Langford dribbled through a freakish goal, the Hawks were up by 34 points.
A strong, contested grab by Jesse Hogan was followed up with his first for the day, and when co-captain Nathan Jones backed up soon after, Melbourne had two in a row for the first time.
However, when McEvoy booted his second in time-on, the Hawks were back out to a 29-point lead at half-time.
Jordan Lewis, Vince, Hibberd and Clayton Oliver had 17 disposals each by the main break, as Tom Mitchell had 19 for the Hawks.
Third quarter: Hawthorn 11.7 (73) to Melbourne 11.6 (72)
Less than a minute into the second half, Hawthorn extended its lead to 35 points, when Jarryd Roughead opened the second half with his second. Just as things started to look shaky for Melbourne, the red and blue hit back with a stunning quarter, booting seven goals to three.
Melbourne started with three in six minutes, including two in succession from Jayden Hunt, and when Jeff Garlett kicked truly, the margin was cut back to just 16 points.
Although Hawthorn answered again, with back-to-back goals to extend the lead to 27 points, Melbourne upped the ante in time-on.
From the 20-minute mark, Melbourne booted four in a row, courtesy of Jordan Lewis, Hogan (who kicked his second) and Garlett (who kicked two and had three for the quarter and match). At the final change, the Hawks led by the narrowest of margins.
Jack Viney had 24 disposals by three quarter-time, as did Mitchell for the Hawks.
Final quarter: Hawthorn 14.10 (94) d Melbourne 14.7 (91)
Hawthorn claimed the first goal of the final term, via Tim O’Brien, just 20 seconds in.
Jack Watts replied for Melbourne at the five-minute mark and it was back to one point.
But when Roughead booted his fourth and Isaac Smith kicked his first at the 19-minute mark, the Hawks were up by 14 points.
The Demons kept at it when Hogan registered his third at the 21-minute mark and it was back to eight points. And when Lewis secured his second, there was just three points in it – which proved to be the final margin.
Viney finished with a game-high 33 disposals and Mitchell had 31 for the Hawks.
