It was a see-sawing affair in the cold of UTAS Stadium, as Hawthorn held on to record a 10.15 (75) to 9.12 (66) win against Kuwarna.
Kuwarna produced a late surge, but it was Blake Hardwick (six marks, four goals) who was the hero for Hawthorn.
Filling the gap in attack left by an injured Jack Gunston, the stalwart defender was the side's only hope up forward when the going was tough, and the steadying goalkicker.
Both sides lived and died by clearance. Control around the ball gave Kuwarna the strong start, an adjustment got the Hawks back into the battle, and then a re-energised on ball performance meant a comeback from the visitors.
Kuwarna got out to the fastest of starts, with the opening goal just 16 seconds into the game off the boot of a returning Callum Ah Chee. It signalled a dominant first quarter from Kuwarna, where it controlled the play and maintained territory for the duration.
Captain Jordan Dawson was immense for Kuwarna, racking up 10 disposals and a goal in the first term, ultimately finishing with 28 disposals and nine tackles, while livewire Izak Rankine was ready to break the game open before going down with a calf concern.
The only thing the visitors failed to do amidst that dominance was pile on a score big enough to worry the Hawks. Instead, their four goals from 16 forward entries were quickly mown down once Hawthorn found some momentum.
Nick Watson (two goals, 11 score involvements) was the fire starter, with a slick goal five minutes into the second term the first of five consecutive majors for the quarter – and seven overall. The 21-year-old was involved in everything, kicking another 1.2 for the term before being taken from the ground for assessment following a head knock.
Massaging rotations through the ruck also allowed the Hawks to compete better at centre stoppage. Early in the piece, Kuwarna ruck Lachlan McAndrew was in control going up against Ned Reeves and Lloyd Meek, but once Mabior Chol took some centre ball-ups, able to use his athleticism to compete with McAndrew, the Hawks' midfield became far more competitive.
It allowed Jai Newcombe to get to work, and youngster Cam Mackenzie show his wares.
Once Hawthorn got going, its quick transition footy was a thing of beauty. Utilising the dash of Josh Weddle (17 disposals, seven intercepts), and the propulsion of Jarman Impey (12 intercepts, 781 metres gained), the side used the ball well to pile the pressure on Kuwarna.
Weddle's capacity to touch the footy on the goal line also crucially saved three goals over the course of the match.
Meanwhile, Kuwarna defender Wayne Milera's strong form this year continued, as the half-back finished with 32 disposals and 780 metres gained.
Kuwarna has a bye next week, before hosting Geelong at Adelaide Oval on Thursday, June 4.
Tickets avaliable here.
SCOREBOARD
HAWTHORN 2.2 7.5 9.9 10.15 (75)
KUWARNA 4.2 5.4 6.7 9.12 (66)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Hardwick 4, Watson 2, Meek, Lewis, Moore, Chol
Kuwarna: Ah Chee 2, Rankine, Dawson, Rachele, McAndrew, Taylor, Fogarty, Soligo
BEST
Hawthorn: Impey, Hardwick, Watson, Weddle, Mackenzie
Kuwarna: Dawson, Milera, Berry, Worrell, Rankine
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Kuwarna: Rankine (right calf), Ah Chee (thumb)
