Buddy Franklin was all smiles as the Hawks won by seven goals. Picture: Tim Carrafa
IT WAS games like this that led Ross Lyon to coin the phrase: "We're just happy to bank the four points."
Yesterday at a cold, overcast and poorly-attended Aurora Stadium, it was Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson who uttered the same words after Hawthorn rolled Fremantle.
There has been, and will continue to be, Hawthorn wins that attract more headlines this year. But this was one of those games the contenders simply need to stash away in a long season.
The Hawks had slammed on five goals to zip by quarter-time in what was a delicious first 30 minutes.
But as the undermanned and gallant Dockers kept coming like a wounded villain in a horror flick, it would prove the decisive period in securing Hawthorn its third win of 2013.
The Hawks saluted 18.10 (118) to 11.10 (76).
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It wasn't winning ugly, but it had ugly moments, none more so than Ryan Schoenmakers going down with what appears a season-ending knee injury in the second quarter.
Hawthorn has steamrolled top-four contenders West Coast and Collingwood in the past fortnight. And after the opening 30 minutes it appeared the Dockers were about to cop the same treatment.
Cyril Rioli kicked the first two goals and was leading Lee Spurr around like an owner who can't control his border collie.
David Hale was relishing the absence of late-withdrawal Luke McPharlin and had already taken four contested grabs on debutant Tanner Smith by quarter-time.
Grant Birchall, Shaun Burgoyne and Isaac Smith had 28 disposals between them.
But Fremantle, also missing Matthew Pavlich, rolled up its sleeves and got on with it as Lyon-coached sides do.
Stephen Hill set the tone in the second term, pulling off an incredible smother to deny Paul Puopolo a goal in the goalsquare.
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Kepler Bradley jagged two goals and Ryan Crowley got on top of Sam Mitchell.
Suddenly the meeting between one of football's supreme attacking forces and its most disciplined chokers had descended into a grinding arm-wrestle that regularly saw all 36 players in one third of the ground.
Hawthorn and Fremantle kicked five goals each in the second term and three goals each in the third term.
When the Dockers kicked three of the first four goals of the last quarter to cut the margin to 17 points, the comeback was on.
But Lance Franklin would kick the steadier and the Hawks went on to kick the last four of the match to shut the door as the relentless run and spread finally broke the Dockers.
Hawthorn had 50 more disposals, 30 more handball receives, 61 more uncontested possessions and seven more centre clearances.
"I don't think the game rose to any great heights today, but we're really pleased to bank the four points," Clarkson said.
"A six- or seven-goal win against Fremantle at any stage is a good result for us, so we're pleased by and large by our effort today.
"It was really important to get some kind of scoreboard ascendancy, but perhaps we didn't utilise some of our chances in the second quarter to put some further scoreboard pressure on them.
"Take nothing away from Freo though. They're really hard to score against and it wasn't until late that we were really able to take control of the game."
For that they can thank Grant Birchall, who was imperious across half-back with 37 telling possessions.
He is in clear All-Australian form.
Burgoyne was clinical, Jarryd Roughead found form with four goals, and Max Bailey had the better of Jonathon Griffin.
Smith's run and carry was also significant in penetrating the Dockers' press.
Hawthorn has now won 11 of its 13 matches at Aurora since 2010.
The Dockers' miserable run continues having won only once in nine visits - the infamous siren-gate clash with St Kilda.
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