Jarryd Roughead booted five goals as the Hawks maintained their AFL ladder lead with a comfortable 46-point win over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Aside from the first quarter, Hawthorn were untroubled to bounce back to winning form in their 14.18 (102) to 7.14 (56) victory.

In a game which never reached any great heights, Roughead’s bagful – which lifted him to equal leading goalkicker in the AFL this season with 59 – was one of few highlights.

With the top-of-the-table Hawks coming off a disappointing loss to Richmond last weekend and expected to rebound, few expected a first quarter in which St Kilda dominated the contested ball and trips inside the opposition 50-metre arc.

Saints midfielders Jack Steven and Leigh Montagna were outstanding early, while skipper Nick Riewoldt worked hard playing further up the ground that normal.

But the Saints were unable to translate that advantage onto the scoreboard, and trailed by four points at quarter-time.

Hawthorn then broke open an arm-wrestle midway through the second quarter, taking back control of the clearances and finishing with five goals to the Saints’ one for the term to lead by 37 points at the long break.

Montagna finished with 22 first-half possessions on his way to 35 for the match.

The third quarter featured just three goals and little excitement for either side, before Roughead added his fifth goal in the final quarter and substitute Adam Schneider booted three in the term for the Saints.

Utility Shane Savage was among Hawthorn’s best with 30 disposals.

The Saints lost small forward Stephen Milne prior to kick-off – a late withdrawal with general soreness.