MELBOURNE has produced another competitive showing, but missed opportunities early on - and a dominant first half from Hawthorn - saw the Demons go down by 22 points at the MCG on Sunday evening.

Hawthorn ran out 17.12 (114) to 13.14 (92) winners over Melbourne after the reigning premiers kicked 11 goals to four in the first half.

Although Melbourne outscored Hawthorn in the second half with nine goals to six, the Dees were wasteful in front of goal in the first quarter, which proved costly as the Hawks capitalised.

Despite the loss, the most pleasing aspect for Melbourne was the performance of Colin Sylvia, who played the finest of his 78 AFL matches. It also reinforced why he was chosen at No.3 in the 2003 NAB AFL Draft. 

Sylvia smashed his personal-best disposal count, eclipsing his previous best of 25 touches with 37 disposals – also a game-high, a figure that included 20 by half time. He also booted four goals, including a hat-trick in the third quarter to give the Dees a glimmer of hope, and added nine inside 50s.

Demon leader Brad Green, who played his first match since sustaining a broken jaw in round four, was also one of Melbourne's better players. He racked up 30 touches and showed plenty of courage in his return.

Midfielder Brock McLean was next best with 26 touches.

For the Hawks, Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell finished with 31 disposals, as did first-gamer Beau Muston, who has overcame three knee reconstructions to play at the highest level.

Twin forward towers Lance Franklin (four goals) and Jarryd Roughead (three) were damaging for the Hawks.

The opening term was a frustrating one for the Demons.

Melbourne was able to match Hawthorn in most of the key statistical indicators, but it fell away on the scoreboard, trailing by 21 points at quarter-time.

The Dees had just one fewer scoring shot, but managed 2.5 to 6.2. Missed opportunities came from Sylvia and Aaron Davey, while an errant handball from Brad Miller towards Russell Robertson near the goalsquare squandered what looked to be a certain goal.

Although the Hawks kicked six of the first seven goals, including three from Franklin, Cameron Bruce’s goal just before the break kept the Dees in touch.

The Hawks broke away to a 40-point lead early in the second term after slamming three in quick succession. 

Robertson should've been the one to end Hawthorn’s streak after he took a classical hanger, soaring over Campbell Brown in the goalsquare. But when he attempted to snap the goal while lying on his back, the ball was quickly intercepted by Garry Moss, who cleared the ball from the Hawthorn defence.

Still, the Demons landed two in a row soon after, courtesy of Paul Johnson and McLean, reducing the deficit back to 29 points.

But when Roughead bobbed up with his third and Franklin his fourth, the Hawks took a 43-point advantage into the main break. 

Although Sylvia produced an outstanding five-minute period early in the second half, landing three in a row to reduce the deficit to 37 points, Cyril Rioli bobbed up with a couple later in the term, and the Hawks were soon back out to 55 points.

Only Robertson's second in red-time brought the margin back to 47 points at three quarter-time. 

Although a final-term comeback was out of the question, the Demons did show some spirit, outscoring the Hawks five goals to one. Young big man Stefan Martin was impressive with two goals in the opening seven minutes of the quarter.

Hawthorn      6.2    11.7    16.9    17.12 (114)
Melbourne    2.5    4.6      8.10    13.14 (92)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 4, Roughead 3, Bateman 2, Guerra 2, Rioli 2, McGlynn, Muston, Osborne, Williams
Melbourne: Sylvia 4, Martin 2, Robertson 2, Bate, Bruce, Johnson, McDonald, McLean

BEST
Hawthorn: Lewis, Muston, Mitchell, Franklin, Sewell, Roughead
Melbourne: Sylvia, Green, McLean, Moloney, Johnson, Jones

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Stokes (hamstring tightness), Moss (leg)
Melbourne: Whelan (nose), Bate (corked thigh)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Rosebury, Hay, Avon

Official crowd: 39,395 at MCG

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.