Hawks prevail in thriller

Hawthorn has extended its winning streak to seven and severely dented the Western Bulldogs' top four hopes with a thrilling three-point win at the MCG on Friday night.

In an enthralling battle from start to finish, the Hawks kicked four goals to two in the final term to seal the 12.7 (79) to 11.10 (76) victory.

The win sees the Hawks, who had only won one match from their first seven, solidify their position in the top eight and they are now a realistic chance of threatening the top four.

The Dogs, who have lost to Collingwood twice and St Kilda once, again came up short against a top team and after a pre-season that promised so much are now facing an uphill battle to make the top four and secure the all-important double chance.

With less than a kick in it heading into the final quarter, the Bulldogs had the Hawks camped in their defensive 50 for much of the opening stages, but failed to make count with Jarrad Grant and Callan Ward both hitting the woodwork.

The Hawks landed the crucial first goal of the quarter eight minutes in through Jarryd Roughead and minutes later a moment of brilliance from Sam Mitchell put his side in front as he produced a wonderful 40m snap on his non-preferred left boot.

With Barry Hall struggling to make an impact, Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade threw Robert Murphy forward and the move paid immediate dividends as he goaled from a tight angle to give the Dogs the lead again.

It was then Luke Hodge's time to stand up as he shrugged off an Adam Cooney tackle before steadying and kicking truly to put his side back in front.

Both sides squandered chances at either end before Hawthorn's tackling pressure finally led to Lance Franklin capping off a fine team goal with a great set shot form just inside the 50.

Grant goaled with less than a minute remaining to set up a thrilling finale and Easton Wood had a flying shot to win the match just as the siren went but Xavier Ellis safely marked in the goal square to seal the win.

Hawks captain Mitchell and Hodge were simply sensational as they both gathered 28 touches, while Cyril Rioli was at his blistering best with 22 quality possessions.

Franklin, who was manned all night by Brian Lake, pushed up the ground to gather 17 possessions and finished with three goals, including a crucial one in the last quarter.

Matthew Boyd was outstanding for the Dogs as he collected a game-high 35 touches, while Lake zoned off Franklin to take 18 marks in a fine performance, despite conceding the three goals to Franklin.

Shaun Higgins was also productive in his first game back from injury, but the Dogs lacked firepower going forward as Hall finished with just seven touches and two goals.

Hawthorn made a flying start with ruckman Brent Renouf benefitting from a contentious mark to slam through the opening goal of the match.

Higgins immediately replied for the Dogs, but it was all the Hawks early on as Roughead kicked truly before Hodge busted a pack and dribbled one through along the ground.

The Bulldogs hit back with the final three goals of the quarter, including a superb flying shot from outside 50 by Ryan Griffin, to take a six-point lead into the first break.

Beau Muston had the Hawks back on level pegging early in the second term as the two sides went goal-for-goal before Rioli had the majority of the crowd on their feet with a sublime bit of roving as he collected the ball at full tilt before snapping a wonderful goal.

Franklin then gave the Hawks a rare lead with his second goal of the quarter but the Dogs responded through Daniel Giansiracusa as the scores were tied for remarkably the sixth time for the half.

The Hawks dominated the early stages of the third quarter, but couldn't make it count on the scoreboard as Renouf, Grant Birchall and Carl Peterson all missed chances.

And sure enough the Dogs made them pay with a goal on the fast break down the other end, but the Hawks finally made their dominance count when Roughead took a sensational one-handed mark before dishing off to Rioli to run into an open goal.

Neither side gave an inch for the remainder of the term with Bulldogs tagger Liam Picken producing a superb goal-saving to tackle to ensure his side took a slender five-point lead into the final change and set up a thrilling final quarter.