The Western Bulldogs have fallen to Hawthorn by 27 points at UTAS Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
In their first trip to Tasmania since 2015, the Dogs struggled to capitalise on their early dominance, conceding the last six goals in the 9.10 (64) to 5.7 (37) affair.
Despite taking a narrow lead into the opening change, the Bulldogs couldn’t hold on to their seven-point buffer as the Hawks quickly swing momentum back in their favour.
Chasing a nine-point lead at half-time, the third term was more of an arm wrestle between the two sides.
The Dogs took control early, but saw little reward on the scoreboard for their efforts across the ground.
Aaron Naughton finally broke through with the first major of the third term, setting off a three-goal chain which saw the Bulldogs regain the lead.
But the Hawks were again quick to respond, adding four of their own to close out the quarter.
The Dogs continued to fight throughout the last term, but were cut off by the Hawks at nearly every contest.
Midfield bulls Jack Macrae (32 disposals, seven tackles), Marcus Bontempelli (31 disposals, six tackles) and Tom Liberatore (26 disposals, eight tackles) were among the major ball-winners.
Under siege in defence, Bailey Dale (31 touches) and Caleb Daniel (27 touches) tried their hardest, while Cody Weightman provided a spark up forward with two goals.
The Bulldogs will fly back to Melbourne tonight, and will look to reset when they host Port Adelaide next weekend.
HAWTHORN 0.2 3.7 7.8 9.10 (64)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.3 2.4 5.6 5.7 (37)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Koschitzke 2, McEvoy, Bramble, Hanrahan, Mitchell, Lewis, Wingard, Howe
Western Bulldogs: Weightman 2, Hannan, Naughton, Garcia
BEST
Hawthorn: Howe, Koschitzke, Newcombe, Mitchell, Wingard
Western Bulldogs: Liberatore, Bontempelli, Macrae, Dale, Weightman
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Josh Morris (unused)
Western Bulldogs: Anthony Scott (unused)
Crowd: TBC at UTAS Stadium
