HAWTHORN has snapped the Sydney Swans' 12-game winning streak, defeating the premiership favourites by 10 points in a gripping clash at the MCG on Saturday night.
The Hawks trailed by 23 points seven minutes into the third quarter, but booted seven of the next nine goals and snared a nine-point lead at the last change.
Alastair Clarkson's men then extended their lead by kicking the first two majors of the final quarter, before they survived a late comeback from the Swans and won 15.14 (104) to 13.16 (94).
"Our resilience and perseverance just to hang in there when things weren't working out for us too well early in the third quarter (was important) to turn the game around," Clarkson said.
"I'm sure our players will get a lot of confidence out of being able to cope with that sort of situation."
The victory improved the Hawks' record to 13-4 and propelled them to second place on the ladder, less than one per cent behind the top-placed Swans.
More than 72,000 people watched the blockbuster contest, which broke the record for the highest crowd to attend a home and away match involving the Hawks and Swans.
Hawthorn forward Jarryd Roughead had a 200th game to remember, booting a team-high four goals after having the better of Ted Richards.
Luke Breust and Isaac Smith also did some damage on the scoreboard, slotting three majors each.
Smith, Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell were influential contributors in the midfield.
Alex Woodward, who made his long-awaited debut after fighting back from two knee reconstructions, started as the sub, was brought into the game in third quarter and finished with three disposals.
Former Hawks star Lance Franklin, who was picked up by his best mate Josh Gibson for much of the game, finished with a wayward 3.5 for the Swans.
He did his best work in the first half, when the Swans were on top in the middle of the ground and looked the better side.
Franklin has now booted 5.12 in his two matches against his former club.
The Swans' other big forward, Kurt Tippett, who was back on the park after recovering from a knee problem, looked too big and strong for Ryan Schoenmakers.
Yet Tippett faded after a bright start and finished with just two goals.
Adam Goodes was the Swans' leading scorer with four goals – all in the second half – while Lewis Jetta and Craig Bird were their best midfielders.
Coach John Longmire also highlighted the performances of defenders Dane Rampe, who held Jack Gunston to one goal, and Gary Rohan.
But Longmire added, "I didn't think a lot of our players had great games. In the end, I thought they deserved to win.
"I thought we were OK in patches, but I thought they were a little bit more consistent over the course of the game, and they had a few more better players than us."
The Hawks will go into their next match, against the Western Bulldogs in Launceston next Sunday afternoon, as hot favourites.
The Swans will be aiming to get back on the winners' list when they take on Essendon at the SCG on Friday night.
Lance Franklin tries to escape the clutches of ex-teammate and good friend Josh Gibson. Picure: AFL Media
HAWTHORN 2.7 4.8 11.11 15.14 (104)
SYDNEY SWANS 2.3 5.9 9.14 13.16 (94)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Roughead 4, Breust 3, Smith 3, Puopolo 2, Gunston, Burgoyne, Hodge
Sydney Swans: Goodes 4, Franklin 3, McGlynn 3, Tippett 2, Kennedy
BEST
Hawthorn: Lewis, Roughead, Smith, Hodge, Mitchell, Birchall, Shiels
Sydney Swans: McGlynn, Goodes, Franklin, Rampe, Bird, Jack, Jetta
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Sydney Swans: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Alex Woodward replaced Jonathon Ceglar in the third quarter
Sydney Swans: Dean Towers replaced Heath Grundy at three-quarter time
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Nicholls, Pannell
Official crowd: 72,760 at the MCG
