HAWTHORN has snapped a three-game losing streak, pipping Port Adelaide by three points in a dogged AFL clash in Launceston.

The lead swung both ways in a tense final term, but the Hawks' biggest gun stood up on Saturday afternoon when it counted in the 9.10 (64) to 9.7 (61) win.

HAWKS HOLD ON Full match coverage and stats

Port Adelaide kicked back-to-back goals to go ahead with about 10 minutes to play.

But Hawthorn skipper Jarryd Roughead put his side back in front with a crucial major in the 24th minute of the last term.

The Hawks' scrambling defence did the rest.

"Just to get the win is really pleasing for us," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

"We’ve had a pretty scratchy month, lost three games on the trot coming into this game and it was pretty important we won today just to keep us in touch with the eight.

WATCH: Burgoyne lights up in Tassie

"Hopefully we can build our season post the bye."

Hawthorn had the chance to ice the game but several shots hit the post and ex-Power player Jarman Impey kicked out on the full.

Ball magnet Tom Mitchell played a leading hand, with two goals and a game-high 28 touches.

Shaun Burgoyne was also a standout with 26 possessions, but might have some questions to answer at the tribunal after being placed on report for rough conduct in the first quarter.

Early, it looked as if the Hawks were set for just their second loss at Launceston since 2012.

Port Adelaide kicked the first four goals of the match to open a 26-point lead at quarter-time, with Robbie Gray and Jack Watts finding plenty of space inside 50.

But the Hawks hit back with four unanswered goals in the second to level the scores at 33-33 at the main break.

"It was an ugly game, I thought. A really ugly game," Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said.

"We let it slip. We had the game where we wanted it to be played and to Hawthorn’s credit they were able to find a way back into it."

VETERAN'S EVENTFUL DAY Five talking points

The Hawks didn't hit the lead until early in the third quarter and took a slender seven-point margin into the final term.

Gray, who had four goals in a losing side, kicked the major in the last quarter that put Port Adelaide ahead.

But Roughead stood up, kicking his only goal of the match.

MEDICAL ROOM
Both sides will leave Launceston without any major injury concerns after Port coach Ken Hinkley allayed any fears regarding a significant injury to key forward Charlie Dixon, who spent time in the rooms having his knee taped during the second half.

NEXT UP
Port Adelaide is back home but faces a tough task when it takes on Richmond under lights at Adelaide Oval on Friday night, while the Hawks can take a well-earned rest as they enter the bye round with a 6-5 record.

HAWTHORN          1.2   5.3   7.7   9.10 (64)
PORT ADELAIDE     5.2   5.3   6.6   9.7 (61)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Mitchell 2, McEvoy 2, Impey, Burgoyne, Puopolo, Breust, Roughead
Port Adelaide: Gray 4, Watts 3, Westhoff, Dixon

BEST 
Hawthorn: Burgoyne, Gunston, Mitchell, Shiels, Sicily
Port Adelaide: Westhoff, Ryder, Gray, Jonas, Motlop

INJURIES 
Hawthorn: Nil
Port Adelaide: Nil

Reports: Shaun Burgoyne (Haw) for rough conduct against Jared Polec (Port) during the first quarter

Umpires: Gavine, Nicholls, Hosking

Official crowd: 13,007 at University of Tasmania Stadium