The Bombers led by six goals at half time and looked in complete control of the game.
But a second-half fightback got the Hawks to within four points of Essendon late in the final quarter before goals to Barnard and Lucas steadied a shaky Bomber ship.
The Bombers started slowly after a week’s rest but soon got into their stride, controlling the in-close game through Misiti, Jason Johnson and Heffernan.
Alessio was the go-to man early and kicked the first two goals of the match, but the Bombers were also fortunate to get three goals from free kicks in the first quarter.
The Hawks youngsters were brushed aside as the Bomber midfield moved up a gear with ‘Smokin’ Joe Misiti in fine form.
With four goals to none in the second quarter, it looked a matter of how far the Bombers at half time.
But when Thompson took control of the ruck in the third quarter, the Hawks runners came into their own.
The pace of Lonie and Greene was important as the Hawks constantly pushed inside their forward 50.
The Hawks forwad line had been dysfunctional since losing spearhead John Barker and Ben Dixon early, allowing Fletcher, Solomon and Jacobs to rebound time after time from half back.
But the Hawks found ways to goal around them through runners Woods, Greene and Barlow.
The turnaround was so complete that the Bombers did not score a goal for the quarter, while the Hawks kicked three to trail by 15 points at three quarter time.
Not many would have given the Hawks a realistic chance to run over the Bombers then, but Rehn continued Thompson’s good work in the ruck and freed the big man to kick a team-lifting goal early in the quarter.
When Holland goaled minutes later, the Hawks were just 3 points in arrears and pressing hard.
They had shut down the Bombers in-close game, tackling ferociously and chasing down every loose ball.
With Hird, Mercuri and Lloyd missing, the Bombers seemed to lack leadership until Misiti stepped up to kick a brilliant running goal half way through the quarter.
Unbelieveably, it was the Bombers first goal since the 19-minute mark of the second quarter, but a true reflection of the turnaround in fortunes.
When Dixon popped up for an important cameo to goal, the Hawks drew within 4 points again.
Two minutes later, Croad hit the post with a huge kick that would have put the Hawks in front for the first time in the game.
It wasn’t to be. The Bombers found their composure and goals to Barnard and Lucas put the game beyond doubt.
The Bombers have injury concerns with Mercuri on crutches and Hird struggling with a groin injury. Ruckman John Barnes also left the field with a leg injury in the last quarter.
