Captain Jarryd Roughead led brilliantly as Hawthorn started the post-Cyril Rioli era with a thumping 63-point AFL win over the Western Bulldogs.
The 19.8 (122) to 9.5 (59) win on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium keeps the Hawks on the cusp of the top eight.
But the win came at a cost – ruckman Ben McEvoy, one of their best players, hurt his cheek and had to leave the field after an accidental clash of heads with Bulldogs onballer Josh Dunkley during the last quarter.
McEvoy was later taken to hospital in an ambulance.
Earlier this week, Rioli announced his immediate retirement and returned to Darwin for family reasons.
The Hawks’ pre-game banner paid tribute to the four-time premiership star, who had not played since round four because of a knee injury.
Fellow small forward Luke Breust was best afield with six goals, equalling his personal best haul, as the Hawks kicked their highest score this season.
But it was Roughead, another four-time premiership Hawk, who sparked them with a mighty third term.
He kicked two goals, set up Breust for another and dominated as the Hawks ran amok, kicking 7.4 to a behind to kill off the match.
Roughead finished with four goals and six marks and Jack Gunston also kicked four.
The Bulldogs struck early for a 13-point lead, with fiery Hawks defender James Sicily giving away a silly 50m penalty and a goal, getting an extended spray from the coach’s box.
He settled from there and finished with a game-high 12 marks.
The Hawks opened up an 11-point lead in the first quarter, with Breust kicking four goals.
He kicked his fifth in the second term, but it was Hawthorn’s only goal for the quarter as the Bulldogs steadied.
Jason Johannisen was on fire across half-back, racking up 25 disposals for the first half and the Dogs kicked three goals to lead by two points at the main break.
After that, it was all Hawthorn as the Bulldogs only managed two goals in the second half.
Daniel Howe was instrumental for the Hawks with his shutdown role on Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli.
Howe hurt his knee in a marking contest with Bontempelli just before halftime, but played out the match.
