MELBOURNE has suffered a crushing 79-points loss to Hawthorn in the third round NAB Cup match at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The Hawks booted six goals before Melbourne had scored and were never troubled from there, eventually running out 1.17.12 (123) to 0.6.8 (44) winners in front of 10,611 fans.

Lance Franklin was a standout for the victors, booting five goals in a lively display up forward and through the midfield.

He kicked the first of the game via a brilliant dribbled snap from the forward pocket, and drilled a huge supergoal on the run midway through the third quarter.

Big man David Hale was another eye-catcher, with strong contested marking a feature of his six-goal performance.

Luke Hodge was in fine form through the centre of the ground, and Matt Suckling's foot skills were a feature off half-back.

Recruit Mitch Clark was Melbourne's leading goal-kicker, booting three in a competitive duel with Hawks backman Jarrad Boumann.

Nathan Jones and Lynden Dunn tried hard on a disappointing night for Mark Neeld's team, who allowed Hawthorn to control the ball and the tempo of the match.

The Hawks had 109 uncontested marks to 38, and 232 uncontested possessions to 85 as they continued the precision kicking game that worked effectively last season.

They held Melbourne goalless in the third quarter, and conceded only two goals in each of the other three.

Melbourne could at least take some solace in its efforts in close, winning contested possession 132-114. But it lacked the polish, composure under pressure and ability to spread that its opponent so often displayed.

Spring-heeled Jeremy Howe provided two highlights for Demons supporters, reeling in a pair of spectacular leaping marks.

It was Hawthorn's 11th straight win against the Demons, including three NAB Cup and eight home and away games dating back to mid-2006.

Hawthorn    0.6.2     0.10.4     1.12.8   1.17.12 (123)
Melbourne    0.2.3     0.4.6      0.4.7       0.6.8 (44)
 
SUPERGOAL
Hawthorn: Franklin
Melbourne: Nil
 
GOALS
Hawthorn: Hale 6, Franklin 5 (includes supergoal), Breust 2, Sewell, Hodge, Lewis, Bruce
Melbourne: Clark 3, Watts 2, Dunn

BEST
Hawthorn: Franklin, Hale, Hodge, Suckling, Whitecross,Bateman,
Melbourne: Clark, Jones, Dunn, Howe
 
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Melbourne: James Magner (finger)

Reports: Nil
 
UMPIRES: Orr, Harris, McInerney, Kamolins

Official Crowd: 10,611 at Etihad Stadium

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs