HAWTHORN’S big forwards Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead kicked nine goals between them to cap a 15.12 (102) to 13.8 (86) comeback AFL win over North Melbourne at Telstra Dome on Saturday afternoon.
The Hawks entered the final term trailing by 17 points, but outscored the Kangaroos 6.3 to 1.0 in the last quarter to storm to victory and remain unbeaten.
Franklin kicked five goals and Roughead four, with the star pair booting two each in the last term to steer their side home.
It was a gallant victory for the Hawks against the side that knocked them out of last year's finals series, as they finished with only 20 available players.
Defender Tom Murphy copped a knee to the head in a marking contest in the third term and did not return, while Tim Boyle was forced off after being hurt by Franklin in a marking contest early in the final quarter.
Zippy half-forward Cameron Stokes also looked below par after injuring his right leg in a tackle in the third quarter, although he returned to the ground in the final term.
The Kangaroos dominated early, with Brent Harvey running rampant through the midfield and Daniel Harris and Daniel Wells also winning plenty of the ball as they outscored the Hawks 4.6 to 1.3 in the first term.
They should have been further in front, with Shannon Grant, Nathan Thompson and Lindsay Thomas all missing gettable set shots, while Corey Jones hit the post with a snap.
The Hawks lifted considerably in the second quarter; Sam Mitchell working his way into the game after a quiet start, Brad Sewell exceptional in the clinches and Jordan Lewis also winning plenty of the ball.
Roughead and Franklin fired through some long goals in the second term to help their side back into the match, while half-forward Michael Osborne also provided a spark.
The Hawks hit the front for the first time in the match when Luke Hodge scored the opening goal of the second half.
The Roos responded with four in a row to surge back out to a 19-point lead, fine running goals from small forwards Matt Campbell and Thomas highlighting the run.
But it was all Hawthorn in the final term as they dominated through the middle of the ground and with their forward firepower it was only a matter of time before they took the lead.
It was Franklin who eventually put them in front 22 minutes into the term after Cyril Rioli set him up with a strong tackle to dispossess Adam Simpson, then a quick handball to put Franklin in the clear.
Roughead followed up with a nice mark against Drew Petrie on the edge of the goalsquare, before Lewis capped a fine game with an easy sealer after marking from close range.
HAWTHORN 1.3 7.5 9.9 15.12 (102)
NORTH MELBOURNE 4.6 7.7 12.8 13.8 (86)
Goals: Hawthorn: L Franklin 5 J Roughead 4 M Osborne 3 J Lewis B Sewell L Hodge. North Melbourne: C Jones 3 L Brown 2 S Grant 2 B Rawlings L Thomas N Thompson A Edwards D Hale M Campbell.
Best: Hawthorn: B Sewell J Lewis C Bateman L Franklin J Roughead M Osborne. North Melbourne: B Harvey C Jones A Simpson B Rawlings L Brown D Pratt.
Injuries: Hawthorn: T Murphy (head) T Boyle (thigh). North Melbourne: Nil.
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: M Head, M Ellis, T Keating
