MELBOURNE has claimed its biggest victory under coach Paul Roos, leading at every change to upset ladder leader Hawthorn by 29 points at the MCG on Saturday.
It broke Hawthorn's run of nine wins in succession and was the Demons' first win against the Hawks since round eight, 2006, with the Hawks having won 13 in a row since that game.
After being headed early in the last quarter, Melbourne kicked five unanswered goals to win 17.8 (110) to Hawthorn's 11.15 (81).
Inspired by ruckman Max Gawn (who took eight contested marks to finish with 11 for the game), skipper Nathan Jones (who had never played in a winning team in 13 games against the Hawks) and young bull Jack Viney, the Demons recorded a famous victory.
Roos praised his leaders but said everyone chipped in to get the result.
"It's a fantastic win … I'm just so proud," Roos said.
"I just hope that they take the feeling of today, the effort that's required – you've got to put in great effort against great teams – but the reward is worth it."
Although the Hawks remain one game clear on top of the ladder after the loss, they left battered and bruised, with Ben Stratton sitting out the second half with a shoulder injury.
The Hawks could also be without their best player Cyril Rioli if the Match Review Panel deems a bump he laid on Melbourne youngster Clayton Oliver in the first quarter to be worthy of suspension.
The champion Hawk was brilliant kicking four goals and his bone-shaking bump looked fair with Oliver playing out the rest of the game, but the incident is sure to be examined.
Hawthorn was wayward in front of goals with the normally reliable Jack Gunston missing several set shots (he finished with 2.4) as the Hawks applied pressure.
Clarkson praised Melbourne after the win but said the Hawks could learn plenty.
"We were a little bit off and the Demons were a little bit on and sometimes at the margin that can be the difference in the game," Clarkson said.
"[There were a] couple of times in the third quarter [that] we had opportunities to go a couple of goals up and we missed chances.
"[At] the end of the day when it's a game at the margins like that you have got to take your chances."
By contrast Melbourne was efficient when it went inside 50 and also worked hard to limit Hawthorn's uncontested marking.
The Demons kicked more than 100 points for the first time since the bye after scoring more than the century in seven of the opening 12 rounds.
Leading the charge was 19-year-old key forward Sam Weideman, who kicked a goal with his first kick as he racked up six disposals in the opening quarter.
Despite tiring, Weideman ended the game with three marks and two goals in an outstanding debut.
His contribution was particularly vital as Jesse Hogan failed to recover from a bruised knee, while the Hawks were missing James Frawley after he withdrew late due to a jarred shoulder.
Hawthorn was on the back foot from the start with Melbourne taking the game on and it was only two goals from 50m penalties, a fortunate free kick and Rioli's brilliance that kept them in the contest.
The Demons move to nine wins for the season, their most since 2006.
MEDICAL ROOM
Melbourne
Jesse Hogan was a late withdrawal due to a bruised knee. Cameron Pedersen replaced him and played as the key forward.
Hawthorn
Ben Stratton hurt his shoulder in the second term and did not reappear. James Frawley was a late withdrawal due to a jarred shoulder allowing New Zealand-born Kurt Heatherley to make his debut.
NEXT WEEK
Hawthorn faces a huge test against North Melbourne. The Kangaroos pushed the Hawks in a fiery encounter earlier in the season without winning and will be looking to get the four points. Melbourne heads to Adelaide Oval next week to play the struggling Port Adelaide.
MELBOURNE 5.2 9.2 12.6 17.8 (110)
HAWTHORN 3.3 7.9 10.12 11.15 (81)
GOALS
Melbourne: Watts 3, Weideman 2, Bugg 2, Tyson 2, Petracca, Gawn, Hunt, Kent, Brayshaw, Vandenberg, Stretch, Pedersen
Hawthorn: Rioli 4, Gunston 2, Ceglar 2, Smith 2, O'Brien
BEST
Melbourne: Jones, Gawn, Viney, Tyson, Watts, Vince, T. McDonald, Oliver
Hawthorn: Rioli, Smith, Hodge, Lewis, Mitchell
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Hawthorn: Stratton (left shoulder)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Farmer, Rosebury, Wallace
Official crowd: 38,818 at the MCG
