HAWTHORN has overcome a slow start and a depleted midfield to beat North Melbourne by 16 points at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

In boom recruit Chad Wingard's first game in the brown and gold, he delivered in the pivotal moments and bagged three goals.

After being overrun by the Western Bulldogs last week, the Hawks were limp to start their affair against the Roos.

They came to life in the second term though and despite the absence of onballers Liam Shiels and Shaun Burgoyne because of hamstring injuries, Jaeger O'Meara and James Worpel stood up in their absence to lead Hawthorn to a 13.9 (87) to 10.11 (71) victory. 

HAWKS RUN DOWN ROOS Full match coverage and stats

Needing a spark after a lacklustre opening quarter, Wingard provided it. He rose for a mark amid a group of Roos and dobbed a tough set shot in the second term.

He then laid a crunching tackle on key defender Robbie Tarrant, which was indicative of his team stepping up its pressure.

It wasn't a prolific Hawks debut (10 disposals) but the dual All Australian stood up when it counted. In the third term, he won a crucial ground ball against Scott Thompson and launched a perfect kick forward for Conor Nash to run on to and bang it through.

FIERY SCOTT Roos coach won't deliver 'a head on a platter'

He kicked two goals in the final quarter and his third was the best of the lot, stepping past Ben Cunnington and snapping it through.

Luke Breust similarly proved important up forward, slotting five goals, including a classy finish to give his side breathing room late.

That pair helped consign North to a 0-3 start, and it was likely the first of many times they will sink the opposition.

The Roos dominated play early by playing keepings off, which was illustrated by them having 50 more disposals at the first break.

However, they kicked just six goals from that point (including two in junk time) and struggled to go with the Hawks when they lifted a gear.

GAMEBREAKER Wingard bursts to life late

Brilliant Roo Shaun Higgins started in scintillating fashion with 10 disposals midway through the opening quarter, before ending with 35. Harry Morrison was assigned to him and went reasonably for a while, but a long-range goal in the second term showed Higgins couldn't be kept quiet for long.

Ben Cunnington was outstanding in the clinches, topping the contested possession count with 23, 11 more than the next best Roo – skipper Jack Ziebell.

The captain worked hard all day but would have rued a couple of missed set shots late in the third term.

GRIT AND DETERMINATION Clarkson praises Hawthorn midfield

In coach Alastair Clarkson's 332nd game in charge of Hawthorn, it was his first without any of his stalwarts in Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Burgoyne or Jarryd Roughead, who was a late out after copping a corked thigh in a collision with Wingard at training on Saturday.

MEDICAL ROOM
Hawthorn: There were a few concerns, but all returned. In the second term, O'Meara went down to the rooms with a left hip issue, Breust seemed troubled by a lower back problem and spent time on the stationary bike and Jarman Impey seemed to have a sore midriff. Blake Hardwick had his lower back worked on in the third term.

North Melbourne: The Roos appeared to escape unscathed. 

NEXT UP
North Melbourne will hope to finally post a victory when it faces Adelaide at Marvel Stadium next Saturday night. The following afternoon, Hawthorn comes up against St Kilda at the same venue.

HAWTHORN               1.2       5.3       8.6       13.9 (87)
NORTH MELBOURNE  4.3       6.6       7.11     10.11 (71) 

GOALS
Hawthorn: Breust 5, Wingard 3, McEvoy 2, Smith, Nash, Henderson
North Melbourne: Ziebell 2, Dumont 2, Brown, Scott, Turner, Higgins, Polec, Hall

BEST
Hawthorn: O'Meara, Breust, McEvoy, Henderson, Impey, Worpel
North Melbourne: Higgins, Cunnington, Dumont, Pittard, Ziebell, Atley

INJURIES 
Hawthorn: Roughead (corked thigh) replaced in selected side by Moore, O'Meara (hip), Breust (back)
North Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Ryan, O'Gorman, Brown 

Official crowd: 36,174 at the MCG