LANCE Franklin booted six goals as Hawthorn held off a spirited challenge by West Coast to notch a hard-fought seven-point win on Saturday at Aurora Stadium.

Franklin's sixth goal gave the Hawks a 26-point lead 20 minutes into the final term, but the Eagles booted the last three goals of the match in a stirring late charge that fell agonisingly short as the Hawks held on for the 10.12 (72) to 9.11 (65) victory.

Sam Mitchell's influence was almost as profound as Franklin's, with the former skipper amassing 37 possessions in the scrappy affair.

The Hawks were heavily favoured going into the match, but it was West Coast that made the early running with pressure on the ball carrier a feature. Josh Kennedy proved a handful for direct opponent Josh Gibson, with his two goals helping the Eagles to a 10-point lead at quarter-time.

Hawthorn's efficiency when it did manage to go inside 50 kept the home side within striking distance.

Cyril Rioli provided the spark that snapped his team out of its lethargy, with his long run that ended in a Jarryd Roughead goal midway through the second term igniting the crowd and spurring the Hawks to a one-point lead at the main break. 

The Eagles were able to successfully re-apply the screws in the third quarter, but three goals to Franklin in the final term proved pivotal.

In a game with few highlights, Franklin and Mitchell stood head and shoulders above their teammates for the most part, but Rioli was able to burst onto the scene at some crucial moments.

Whilst the Eagles depart Launceston without the premiership points, they continued their encouraging start to a season where many had them consigned to the bottom four. 

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson praised the effort of the Eagles after the tight contest.

"We ended up getting well enough in front with five or six minutes to go that we should have won comfortably in the end, but it was a little bit like the game - despite us being up by four goals I don't think we were a four-goal better side today," he said.

"I thought West Coast played particularly well and, at different stages, were a better side than us on the day. We were really pleased to get the four points."

West Coast coach John Worsfold said he was happy with the effort shown by his side despite the loss.

"Obviously we came here to win the game and we couldn't win it so it's disappointing, but we're satisfied with the intensity of the players, for sure," he said.

"Regardless of the last 10 minutes, it's the 120 minutes of the game we were looking at and we're happy with that."

Hawthorn       2.0    5.4    6.8    10.12 (72)
West Coast    3.4    4.9    6.10    9.11 (65)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 6, Burgoyne, Roughead, Lewis, Birchall
West Coast: Kennedy 4, Shuey, Embley, Gaff, Rosa, Darling

BEST
Hawthorn: Franklin, Mitchell, Birchall, Rioli, Suckling, Gilham, Young
West Coast: Priddis, Cox, Darling, Butler, Kennedy, Rosa, Glass

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
West Coast: Brown (thumb)

SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: David Hale replaced by Brent Guerra in the third quarter
West Coast: Will Schofield replaced by Bradd Dalziell in the third quarter

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Kamolins, Hay, Jeffery

Official crowd: 15,000 (est) at Aurora Stadium

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the club.