HAWTHORN has exploded into the 2008 season in the best fashion possible with a comprehensive 104-point thumping of Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday evening.

The match almost resembled a training run for the Hawks as they systematically destroyed the hapless Demons across every line to run out winners, 23.16 (154) to 6.14 (50).

So convincing was the win, exhilarating forward Lance "Buddy" Franklin was literally beating the Demons off his own boot at three-quarter time, having outscored the depleted line-up 5.3 (33) to 2.10 (22).

The Hawks were five men down with Campbell Brown, Luke Hodge, Shane Crawford and Jordan Lewis suspended and Mark Williams a late withdrawal, but proved their depth extends beyond their senior players with a spirited performance from some of their younger stars.

Grant Birchall was again in fine form with 23 possessions, while debutants Cyril Rioli and Cameron Stokes showed plenty of promise with exciting antics around goal.

Stokes, who ended with two goals, made himself known with an impressive snap in the third term, while Rioli bounced off the turf after a high tackle from Brock McLean to end with a respectable 13 disposals and an incredible final-term major where he sidestepped two players to goal from 25 metres out.

The Hawks' other big off-season acquisition in Stuart Dew made himself at home in his first home-and-away match in the brown and gold with two goals – the first of which saw him shrug off two players deep in the side's attacking 50 and split the big sticks from the top of the goalsquare.

Not to be outdone, Sam Mitchell and Chance Bateman contributed all evening with a combined 63 possessions, while Tim Boyle again proved himself a worthy member of the attacking structure with a handy 2.2.

While the scoreline suggested otherwise, it wasn't all doom and gloom for the Demons. Missing Jared Rivers, Colin Sylvia, Clint Bartram and Matthew Bate, they too were down on experience, but still look to have found a player in 20-year-old Simon Buckley, while Nathan Jones worked tirelessly through the middle. 

However, there were plenty more positives for the Hawks. After a quick start and quarter-time lead of 28 points that was extended to 41 by the long break, the side could have been forgiven for cruising to an easy win over an undermanned side.

But the domination at the clearances and sterling support from the defenders saw the goals continue to rain down. By three-quarter time, the Demons had booted just two goals – and the Hawks had four individual players who had either equalled or bettered that tally.

In the final term, the brown and gold-clad players were queuing up to etch their names in the goal-kickers list. Interrupted only by two six-pointers from Demons' forward Russell Robertson and one from Brad Green, the Hawks ended on an eight-goal note of euphoria as players and supporters celebrated an amazing start to the year.

The Hawks will travel to Perth next weekend to meet Fremantle on Saturday night at Subiaco, while the Demons will need to regroup in time for their Saturday afternoon clash with the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.

Hawthorn 5.5 7.10 15.12 23.16 (154)
Melbourne 1.1 1.5 2.10 6.14 (50)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 6, Roughead 3, Osborne 3, Dew 2, Boyle 2, Stokes 2, Campbell 2, Taylor, Young, Rioli
Melbourne: Robertson 3, Green 2, Newton

BEST
Hawthorn: Bateman, Franklin, Mitchell, Gilham, Osborne, Ladson, Dew, Birchall
Melbourne: Jones, Buckley, Green, Moloney

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Croad (wrist)
Melbourne: TBA

Reports
Nil

Umpires
Farmer, Kennedy, Nicholls

Official crowd
40,141 at the MCG