An under-manned Hawthorn has smashed a young Demons side by 56 points at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
The Hawks were without some of their guns including Lance Franklin, Brad Sewell, Cyril Rioli and Chance Bateman but dominated right from the start kicking the first eight goals of the game.
It wasn’t until 18 minutes into the second quarter that the Demons got a goal on the board through ruckman Mark Jamar. Late goals to Rick Ladson and youngster Carl Peterson stretched the lead to 56 points at the main break.
Hawthorn continued their relentless pressure early in the third term slamming on the first four goals of the quarter as the deficit blew out to 80 points. The Demons inexperienced midfield was exposed as Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis and Rick Ladson found plenty of the footy and controlled the clearances.
The Hawks took their foot off the pedal in the final quarter as the Demons kicked four goals to two, saving them from complete embarassment. The pleasing performance of debutants draft picks Jack Trengove and Tom Scully was probably the only positive the Demons could take from the match.
Melbourne – 0.3, 1.6, 4.9, 8.13 (61)
Hawthorn – 6.3, 10.8, 15.14, 17.15 (117)
Goals
Melbourne: Green 2, Petterd 2, Jamar, Miller, Miller, McKenzie
Hawthorn: Brown 3, Roughead 3, Moss 2, Osborne 2, Hooper 2, Hodge, Ladson, Morton, Mitchell, Peterson
Best
Melbourne: Bruce, Moloney, Trengove, Jamar, Green, Scully
Hawthorn: Hodge, Lewis, Birchall, Ladson, Mitchell. Gibson, Roughead
Injuries
Melbourne: Green (neck), Rivers (ribs)
Hawthorn: Renouf (groin)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McLaren, Stewart, Kamolins
Official crowd: 45,615 at the MCG
Dreamteam – Top 5
Luke Hodge – 142
Sam Mitchell – 112
Jordan Mitchell – 109
Grant Birchall – 106
Jordie McKenzie – 105
