HAWTHORN moved to the top of the AFL ladder on percentage courtesy of a 62-point victory over the Western Bulldogs in their match at Aurora Stadium yesterday.
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The Hawks withstood a determined Bulldogs challenge that saw them draw to within 17 points midway through the third quarter and steadied to kick eight of the last nine goals of the game to run out easy winners 16.11 (107) to 6.9 (45).
Hawks spearhead Jarryd Roughead was the most influential forward on the ground finishing with a game-high six goals and brought up his 50th goal of the season in the process.
The Bulldogs failed to take their chances in front of goal and paid the price for inaccuracy with big forward Tom Campbell their only multiple goalkicker with two.
Hawthorn started the game without midfield general Sam Mitchell and livewire forward Isaac Smith and lost key forward Jack Gunston who limped off the ground in the final quarter with a leg or ankle injury.
The win extended Hawthorn's winning record at the ground to 11 straight and completed a clean-sweep for the season at its adopted Tasmanian home ground.