Despite the late withdrawal of superstar forward Lance Franklin and a rotation policy that saw Jarryd Roughead sit out the second half, the Hawks were able to find plenty of potency in attack, winning 15.12 (102) to 12.3 (75) victory.
Liam Shiels kicked three second half goals for the Hawks, spearheading the come-from-behind win in front of 4,010 spectators.
Franklin was not the only notable absentee for the Hawks who also left out regulars in Thomas Murphy, Brent Renouf and Michael Osborne, after travelling to Tasmania with an extended squad of 31.
The Demons controlled possession, and the scoreboard, throughout the first half, taking a 16-point lead into the first break and heading the Hawks by 14 at half-time.
But a six-goals-to-one third quarter saw them take the lead and set up what was a pleasing victory for coach Alastair Clarkson.
"We were a bit tardy in the first half and Melbourne jumped us in the first quarter, but after halftime we were really pleased with the effort," he said. "We were really pleased to get that result in the end.
"We were kicking against a little bit of breeze and to kick six goals to one in the third quarter was a terrific effort by our players and that ended up being pretty much the difference in the game."
The Hawks noticeably improved after half-time and despite a drop-off in intensity from Melbourne, Clarkson was pleased his side was able to assert itself physically.
He also praised the small forwards who made such a telling contribution in the absence of Franklin and Roughead.
"Our intensity lifted a little bit (in the second half) and we stuck a few of our tackles that weren’t sticking as well as we’d like in the first half," he said.
"By and large we were able to kick the ball into a smaller forward line and convert our chances."
The Hawks’ running game clicked after the long break with prime movers Brad Sewell and Jordan Lewis getting more of the ball and finding teammates in space.
Shifting up a gear in third term, Hawthorn surged into the lead courtesy of goals to Liam Shiels, Shane Savage, Shaun Burgoyne, Jordan Lisle and Clint Young.
Aaron Davey did his best to keep the Dees in touch and a dashing run and goal was one of the highlights for Melbourne in an otherwise disappointing second-half fadeout.
HAWTHORN 2.3 5.5 11.9 15.12 (102)
MELBOURNE 5.1 8.1 9.2 12.3 (75)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Shiels 3, Whitecross 2, Smith, Birchall, Guerra, Bruce, Savage, Burgoyne, Lisle, Young, Hale, Sewell
Melbourne: Maric 3, Jurrah 2, Jamar, Green, Moloney, Scully, Davey, Petterd, Bate
BEST
Hawthorn: Shiels, Sewell, Birchall, Guerra
Melbourne: Maric, Davey, Grimes, Scully
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Hawthorn: Nil
Reports: Nil
Attendance: 4010 at Aurora Stadium
