Hawks bag comfortable win over Demons

(AAP) - Hawthorn maintained a spot in the AFL top eight and kept Melbourne planted at the bottom of the ladder with a comfortable 22-point win at the MCG on Sunday.

Forwards Lance Franklin booted four goals and Jarryd Roughead three as the Hawks
effectively had the match wrapped up by halftime, running out 17.12 (114) to 13.14
(92) winners.
The premiers asserted their dominance from the opening bounce - midfielder Jordan
Lewis outstanding throughout as the Hawks' relentless pressure at every contest
worried the young Dees out of it.
Franklin had three goals by quarter-time and Hawthorn a 21-point lead, extended to
43 by halftime as they poured on 11 goals to four for the half.
Melbourne were competitive until early in the second quarter.
But they were let down by their woeful decision-making - summed up best by an
incident involving senior player Russell Robertson in the second quarter.
The forward took a sensational mark right on the goal-line, then attempted to play
on and kick a goal for the highlights reel while lying on his back.
Instead it was spoiled by a grateful Campbell Brown - and is destined for replay
after replay on the end-of-year clanger tape.
Hawthorn stretched their advantage to 47 points by three-quarter time.
But the Demons sliced the deficit to a more acceptable level in the final term,
booting five goals to one as the Hawks looked content to conserve their energy for
an away assignment against Adelaide next weekend.
Hawthorn defender Beau Muston made an outstanding AFL debut following three knee
reconstructions.
The 22-year-old gathered 31 possessions, booted a goal and looked entirely at home
at the top level.
But Muston is likely to also face scrutiny by the match review panel on Monday for a
late fourth quarter hit on Melbourne onballer Colin Sylvia.
Sylvia was easily Melbourne's best, booting four goals and having 37 touches.
Hawthorn move to a 5-4 win-loss record, while the Dees remain below fellow
strugglers Richmond on percentage at 1-8.