ST KILDA has ended Hawthorn's five-year, 19-match winning streak in Launceston with a 75-point thrashing on Saturday afternoon.

The dominant Saints piled on eight goals to one in the third quarter on their way to a 19.16 (130) to 8.7 (55) win before a crowd of 15,571 at York Park.

Full match coverage and stats

Champion Saint Nick Riewoldt celebrated his 700th goal in the clash as the Hawks suffered their first loss at University of Tasmania Stadium since round five, 2012.

But such dominance looked like a distant memory for the hapless Hawks, whose lack of pressure and dreadful skills would surely be raising alarm bells for coach Alastair Clarkson, who admitted his side was "beaten by a hungrier and more polished side".

"We started the game poorly (and) were perhaps a bit lucky to be so close to the St Kilda side at quarter time," he said following his side's biggest loss in Tasmania.

"(We were) just overwhelmed by a side that were just more desperate for the footy on the inside and ran harder on the outside. They controlled the game for 90 per cent of it."

There was plenty to like for St Kilda, who led by 22 points at half-time and cashed in after the long break by piling on eight majors in a third quarter that thrilled coach Alan Richardson.

"We've had periods this year with our footy that has been quite dominant and we haven't been able to score and the shots that we've had have been minor. We haven't been able to kick goals, basically," he said.

"That (third quarter) was pleasing. It's great for the guys when they work that hard."

Five talking points: Hawthorn v St Kilda

There was plenty to like for St Kilda, who led by 22 points at half-time and cashed in after the long break by piling on eight majors in a third quarter that thrilled coach Alan Richardson.

"We've had periods this year with our footy that has been quite dominant and we haven't been able to score and the shots that we've had have been minor. We haven't been able to kick goals, basically," he said.

"That (third quarter) was pleasing. It's great for the guys when they work that hard."

The Saints corrected their wayward goalkicking after the break, with Riewoldt reaching the 700-goal milestone with a clever snap around his body.

It was the start of an ugly quarter for the Hawks, who conceded seven straight majors as St Kilda ball magnets Jack Steven, Seb Ross and Dylan Roberton repeatedly hit targets over the back of the Hawks defence.

The statistics at three-quarter time made for damning reading – the Hawks had 67 fewer disposals, 18 fewer tackles and 14 fewer inside-50s.

Riewoldt finished with four goals, while former Western Bulldogs midfielder Koby Stevens had two majors and 28 touches in his Saints debut.

Hawthorn ruckman Ben McEvoy had two goals and 26 hit-outs, while off-season recruit Tom Mitchell fought hard to finish with 35 disposals.

But the Hawks barely resembled the side that belted West Coast by 50 points at the MCG last week, and questions are bound to be raised about a number of key players.

Star recruit Jaeger O'Meara returned after a fortnight on the sidelines with a knee complaint but looked well off the pace, finishing with just 14 disposals.

Jack Gunston, Luke Breust, Josh Gibson and Isaac Smith were among the Hawks' premiership players who struggled to make an impact.

Breust and Gunston both hit the scoreboard late but it will be cold comfort for the 1-5 Hawks, whose hopes of making the finals are slipping away fast.

MEDICAL ROOM
Hawthorn: Other than suffering bruised pride having been thumped at their second home, the Hawks appear to be leaving Launceston without any major injury concerns.

St Kilda: Key defender Nathan Brown looked to tweak his knee during St Kilda's dominant third term, but was able to return to the field following a spell on the bench.

NEXT UP
If the Hawks aren't staring down a full-blown crisis already, they will be next weekend if they can't conjure up a win over Melbourne in the Sunday afternoon slot at the MCG. The Saints face a big test against the high-flying Giants who they host at Etihad Stadium under lights on Friday.

HAWTHORN     2.1    3.4    4.5       8.7 (55)                  
ST KILDA         3.5    6.8   14.13   19.16 (130)          

GOALS
Hawthorn: McEvoy 2, Mitchell, O'Brien, Howe, Breust, Sicily, Gunston
St Kilda: Riewoldt 4, Bruce 3, Membrey 3, Gresham 2, Stevens 2, Roberton 2, Weller 2, Carlisle 

BEST 
Hawthorn: Mitchell, McEvoy, Hodge
St Kilda: Steven, Stevens, Steele, Roberton, Ross, Riewoldt, Weller 

INJURIES 
Hawthorn: Nil
St Kilda: NIl

Reports: Nil 

Umpires: Foot, Stevic, Schmitt

Official crowd: 15,571 at University of Tasmania Stadium