LUKE Hodge has led Hawthorn to a convincing 70-point win over an injury-depleted Western Bulldogs side in Launceston.
The Hawks' skipper put in a masterful performance, with 44 possessions and two goals in the 19.13 (127) to 8.9 (57) win, with Jarryd Roughead also a key contributor up forward with seven goals.
The Bulldogs suffered a heavy injury toll in their first loss of the season.
Matthew Boyd (calf) and Marcus Bontempelli (calf) dropped out of the side before the match, but then Luke Beveridge had to contend with the losses of Dale Morris (pec) and Mitch Wallis (back).
“Morris has a pectoral injury, Wallis has something gone on with his back, he copped a knee,” Beveridge told reporters in Launceston. “They’ll be out for a while, I don’t know how long, but they’re not minor injuries.
“They won’t be playing next week.”
Morris was subbed out, but the Dogs were one player down on the bench when Wallis couldn't return after copping a heavy knock in the first term.
The Bulldogs had first use of a stiff breeze, but still trailed by two points at the first break, Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson particularly pleased with the way his side held the Bulldogs early.
“We were really pleased with our start. To have as many inside 50’s against a pretty stiff breeze in the first quarter and actually win on the scoreboard was really pleasing,” he said.
“To end up with a significant victory like we did in terms of final winning margin was really, really pleasing, bouncing back strongly from our loss last week against the Bombers.”
Hawthorn put it to better use in the second with Roughead adding three goals as the Hawks sprinted away to lead by 35 points at halftime.
With the wind at their backs once again in the third quarter, the Dogs were unable to make any inroads into the margin, which blew out in the final term when the Hawks booted five goals to none.
Luke Dahlhaus (28 possessions) worked hard for the Bulldogs, with Robert Murphy also important with 24 touches.
Tom Boyd kicked three goals in a encouraging performance.
Hawthorn had contributors across every line with Jordan Lewis (41 possessions) and Isaac Smith (36) prominent.
Bradley Hill failed to shake off the after effects of the heavy knock he received against Essendon last week and was a late withdrawal for Hawthorn.
HAWTHORN 2.3 11.6 14.7 19.13 (127)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.1 6.1 8.6 8.6 8.9 (57)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Roughead 7, Breust 2, Hodge 2, Gunston 2, Mitchell, McEvoy, Birchall, Puopolo, Hartung, Rioli
Western Bulldogs: Boyd 3, Minson, Dahlhaus, Crameri, Honeychurch, Jong
BEST
Hawthorn: Hodge, Lewis, Roughead, Birchall, Duryea, Smith
Western Bulldogs: Dahlhaus, Jong, Talia, Murphy, Boyd
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Bradley Hill (concussion) replaced in selected side by Billy Hartung
Western Bulldogs: Marcus Bontempelli (calf soreness) replaced in selected side by Nathan Hrovat, Mitch Wallis (back), Dale Morris (shoulder)
SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Jed Anderson replaced Paul Puopolo in the fourth quarter
Western Bulldogs: Brett Goodes replaced Dale Morris in the second quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Harris, Ryan, Mitchell
Official crowd: 15,559 at Aurora Stadium
