Hawks top after Demon fright

Hawthorn has moved to outright top place on the AFL ladder and achieved its greatest ever start to a season but not before receiving an almighty fright from bottom side Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.

The Hawks, who thrashed Melbourne by 104 points in the season opener just eight weeks ago, trailed for much of the game before their greater firepower saw them overrun Dean Bailey's gallant side 14.13 (97) to 12.6 (78).

For the Hawks it meant a ninth successive win to start the season for the first time in its history - beating the previous best of eight in 2001 - but make no mistake coach Alastair Clarkson will be a relieved man after this fortunate escape.

Indeed, if not for the midfield persistence of Chance Bateman and Brad Sewell and the class of small forwards Cyril Rioli and Mark Williams - who inspired the revival with six second-half goals between them on a day when key forwards Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead struggled - the Demons would have caused the upset of the season.

The Demons might still be bottom on the ladder, with just one win after nine rounds, but here was proof of just how much the club has improved under first-year coach Dean Bailey in recent weeks.

The Hawks, already missing key midfielders Luke Hodge and Shane Crawford to injury and suspension respectively, suffered another blow before the game when tough midfielder Jordan Lewis was a late withdrawal.

His loss meant the Hawks were suddenly without three of their all-conquering midfield and it showed as the Demons immediately started the better to lead by a goal at quarter-time - thanks to its midfield dominance sparked by Brock McLean's 13 touches in the opening term.

The Demons also won 12 clearances to four in that opening term and laid more tackles as it was soon apparent the team - no doubt fired up by Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett's comments during the week that the struggling Demons should consider moving to the Gold Coast - had come to play.

And with recalled veteran Ben Holland proving more than nuisance value in attack in his first game for the season, an upset of epic proportions looked on the cards when Holland's third goal gave the Demons a 13-point lead at the 17-minute mark of the third term.

But four goals in six minutes late in the term - sparked by Rioli and Williams - gave the Hawks the lead at the last change.

And although the Demons regained the lead twice in the final term, the momentum was with the Hawks as Rioli and Williams finished the gallant Demons off by combining for the last three goals of the game.

MELBOURNE: 4.3, 6.4, 9.5, 12.6 (78)
HAWTHORN: 3.3, 4.7, 10.9, 14.13 (97)
GOALS: Melbourne: Holland 3, Robertson 2, Wonaemirri 2, Jones 2, Johnson, Davey, Bruce
Hawthorn: Franklin 3, Rioli 3, Williams 3, Roughead, Ladson, Ellis, Campbell, Clarke
BEST: Melbourne: McLean, Bate, Davey, Bruce, Jones, Wonaemirri, Holland, Warnock
Hawthorn: Bateman, Birchall, Sewell, Mitchell, Ladson, Brown, Rioli, Morton, Williams
INJURIES: Melbourne: Nil
Hawthorn: Nil
UMPIRES: James, Grun, Armstrong
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Melbourne: White replaced in selected side by Jamar.
Hawthorn: Lewis replaced in selected side by Morton
CROWD: 41,381 at MCG

Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3: Chance Bateman (Hawthorn)
2: Brock McLean (Melbourne)
1: Grant Birchall (Hawthorn)