First quarter: Melbourne 5.2 (32) to Hawthorn 3.3 (21)
Melbourne got off to a flyer when Jayden Hunt kicked a fine running goal, a little over a minute into the match.
It was soon goal-for-goal, until the Hawks broke the trend with two in a row via Jonathon Ceglar and Cyril Rioli.
But when Jack Watts booted consecutive majors in the latter part of the term and Dean Kent kicked truly just before quarter-time, Melbourne took an 11-point lead into the first break.
Sam Weideman started his AFL career in the perfect fashion, when he took a fine contested grab and converted.
Cam Pedersen also provided one of the highlights of the term, when he took a soaring pack mark.
Second quarter: Melbourne 9.2 (56) to Hawthorn 7.9 (51)
Melbourne made it four in a row after Christian Petracca thumped a goal into the Southern Stand just 36 seconds in – giving his side a 17-point lead.
It soon became a goal-for-goal affair again, after Jack Gunston opened Hawthorn’s account for the quarter.
But when Angus Brayshaw landed his first and Watts kicked his third, Melbourne had two in succession and was back out to a 17-point advantage.
The Hawks hit back deep in time-on, booting back-to-back majors, meaning Melbourne took a five-point lead into the long change.
Weideman continued his impressive start, booting his second for the term.
Third quarter: Melbourne 12.6 (78) to Hawthorn 10.12 (72)
Hawthorn took the lead for the first time in the match when Gunston opened the third term with his second.
Rioli soon had his third and the Hawks had a seven-point lead.
But when Tom Bugg soccered Melbourne’s first for the second half, the red and blue was back in front by the narrowest of margins.
The see-sawing trend continued with Tim O’Brien putting the Hawks back in front by a goal, before Melbourne answered with a couple via Max Gawn and Aaron vandenBerg.
At the final break, Melbourne led by one goal.
Final quarter: Melbourne 17.7 (109) d Hawthorn 11.15 (81)
Three behinds were registered before Rioli landed his fourth to start a pulsating final term.
He put the Hawks back in front by a point, before Billy Stretch kicked Melbourne’s first at the 14-minute mark.
It was the start of a magnificent period by the red and blue, which landed five in a row to set up the win.
After Stretch’s goal, Bugg booted his second, Cam Pedersen (who was a late call-up for the injured Jesse Hogan) slotted through his first for the day and then Dom Tyson snagged two in a row.
It resulted in a 29-point victory – and Melbourne’s first over Hawthorn since 2006.
