HAWTHORN is on track to join the Cats and Bulldogs as the undefeated sides after four rounds, jumping to an 18-point half-time lead over Adelaide at Aurora Stadium.

The score was 8.5 (53) to 5.5 (35).

The Crows started brightly but by quarter time the Hawks had an eight-point lead at quarter time, 3.4 (22) to 2.2 (14) on the back of two goals to Buddy Franklin and some dynamite work from youngster Cyril Rioli.

They raised the temperature in the second term slamming on three quick goals in the first seven minutes to take command of the match.

Franklin kicked two of those to have four by early in the second term, reviving nightmares of his freakish elimination final performance last September.

The other was Mark Williams' first in his return from injury.

Williams was a late replacement for Tim Boyle while Tim Clarke came in for Sam Mitchell who also pulled out of the selected side with an undisclosed injury.

Clarke kicked an important goal five minutes before the long break.