A SEVEN-goal third quarter has powered Hawthorn to a 35-point win over reigning premiers West Coast at Aurora Stadium in Launceston, 15.9 (99) to 8.16 (64).

Luke Hodge and Tim Boyle kicked three goals each, while Mark LeCras kicked three for West Coast. Jordan Lewis also kicked two goals after spending some time up forward on top of his regular midfield duties.

Brent Guerra and Ben McGlynn were both excellent in the midfield, and Grant Birchall continued his good form across half-back. Meanwhile, Sam Mitchell and Shane Crawford were both well held by Matthew Priddis and Adam Selwood respectively.

Brad Sewell played well on Eagles star Chris Judd, who nonetheless gathered 25 possessions, but Sewell was also good in the midfield.

The Hawks had the breeze in the first quarter, and started strongly, kicking away to a 19-point lead before the Eagles had a single scoring shot.

The Eagles regrouped, winning plenty of possession through Rowan Jones in the midfield. Quinten Lynch and Mark LeCras kicked goals to bring the margin back, before Danny Jacobs kicked one for Hawthorn to give them a 19-point lead at quarter time, 5.3 (33) to 2.2 (14).

That margin was gradually cut back to nothing in a fascinating second quarter, as the Eagles had plenty of the play but couldn't take advantage of the wind. Chad Fletcher and Michael Braun were doing well for West Coast, while Brent Guerra and Ben McGlynn battled strongly for Hawthorn.

Eagles ruckman Mark Seaby kicked two second-quarter goals, both from free kicks, but forwards from both teams were missing gettable shots on goal. Lance Franklin, Lynch, Ashley Hansen and Adam Hunter all kicked behinds, with the half time scores tied at 5.6 (36) apiece.

Hodge, who had been influential in the midfield, was shifted up forward in the third term and had an immediate impact. He kicked a great goal from a tight angle, and missed one other chance.

West Coast youngster Shannon Hurn followed by kicking an excellent goal of his own, on the run from just inside the 50 metre arc.

West Coast showed plenty of spirit against the wind, before Hodge kicked his second goal in heavy traffic. Sam Mitchell started to win more ball in the midfield, and with goals to Joel Smith and Michael Osborne, Hawthorn put the margin out to 17 points with a five-minute burst.

With more goals to Hodge, Lewis, and Lance Franklin before three quarter time, the Hawks had sprinted away to a 34 point lead, 12.7 (79) to 6.9 (45). Despite the work of Chad Fletcher, who gathered 14 possessions in the third quarter, Hawthorn had the upper hand. However, the Eagles were far from out of it, with the wind set to play its part in the final quarter.

Adam Hunter went into the forward line for West Coast, with Brent Staker taking over his match-up on Franklin.

Jarryd Roughead had a chance to kick a valuable goal early for the Hawks, but missed, kicking his third behind for the match. However, it wasn't long after that Shane Crawford kicked a goal after having been well tagged by Adam Selwood. It was the Hawks' first goal at that end of the ground, and extended their lead to 39 points.

However, the Eagles hit back instantly with a goal from Mark LeCras, his second of the match. But when Tim Boyle kicked truly from just on the 50 metre arc, against the wind, the Hawks were able to return to a 39-point lead.

The Hawks had plenty of momentum, and the Eagles struggled to match their run in the midfield as players started to show the toll of the tough, contested football seen earlier in the game. Tyson Stenglein missed a chance from close range that could have sparked West Coast, before Mark LeCras ran away from a pack of players, kicking his third goal.

The lights came on midway through the final quarter, and the Eagles continued to battle hard but failed to take their chances in front of goal. Rick Ladson kicked truly on the run to cap off a solid match, as the Hawks kept their good record at Aurora Stadium.

HAWTHORN 5.3 5.6 12.7 15.9 (99)

WEST COAST 2.2 5.6 6.9 8.16 (64)

GOALS

Hawthorn: L Hodge 3 T Boyle 3 J Lewis 2 L Franklin M Osborne J Smith D Jacobs S Mitchell S Crawford R Ladson.
West Coast: M LeCras 3 M Seaby 2 Q Lynch R Jones S Hurn.

BEST

Hawthorn: J Lewis C Young S Gilham B Sewell B McGlynn L Hodge B Guerra G Birchall.
West Coast: M Braun D Glass R Jones M Priddis C Fletcher C Judd.

INJURIES

Hawthorn: B Dixon (knee) replaced in the selected side by D Jacobs.
West Coast: D Chick (calf) replaced in the selected side by M LeCras.

Reports: Nil.

Umpires: M Ellis S Jeffery B Rosebury.

Crowd: 18,112 at Aurora Stadium.