Hawthorn end winless run with comfortable victory over lowly North Melbourne

Sam Mitchell’s punt on a heavy week of training has paid dividends as Hawthorn ended their winless start to the season with a 45-point belting of bottom side North Melbourne.

After being thumped by Gold Coast in round five, third-year coach Mitchell adopted an old-school physical approach on the track in a bid to force a tough response out of his players.

The ploy worked a treat as the rampant Hawks piled on nine consecutive goals in a game-busting blitz before halftime to lay the platform for a 17.11 (113) to 10.8 (68) win at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

The triumph was the Hawks’ first of the year after their worst start to a season since their 0-7 opening to the 1970 VFL campaign.

It gave Mitchell a 2-0 head-to-head record against his former mentor Alastair Clarkson, who he replaced as Hawthorn coach in a messy handover at the end of 2021.

Jai Newcombe (32 disposals, nine clearances), Conor Nash (32, 10) and Connor Macdonald (24, one) were standouts for the Hawks in the midfield and small forward Dylan Moore equalled his career-best haul with four goals.

Jack Ginnivan, Mabior Chol, Karl Amon and Lloyd Meek (two each) were also among the 10 goal-kickers in Hawthorn’s strong spread of contributors.

The result compounded North Melbourne’s woes, leaving them as the competition’s last remaining winless team after round six.

The Kangaroos have managed just one victory in their last 27 games after success in Clarkson’s first two outings at the helm early last year.

Ruckman Tristan Xerri fought hard in a losing cause for North with 19 disposals, 45 hit-outs and 10 clearances, while key forward Nick Larkey kicked three goals in his 100th game.

Paul Curtis also kicked three and Luke Davies-Uniacke (23 touches, six clearances) battled on.

The Kangaroos started brightly and kicked the first two goals of the match but Hawthorn booted the next three to lead at the quarter break - by seven points - for the first time this season.

The Hawks took full control, piling on another six consecutive goals as the lead blew out to 45 points before halftime.

It was one-way traffic, with Mitchell’s men dominating possession, territory and even the tackle count (23-10) in the second quarter.

The Kangaroos showed a bit of fight after the main break and tempers flared when Larkey crashed into Finn Maginness in a marking contest.

Cameron Zurhaar and James Sicily were also involved in a fiery exchange during the final term, but Hawthorn were always in control on the scoreboard.