The Demons' last serious hitout at UTAS Stadium was a time to be brave. That was indicative for Lockhart amid a 12.9 (81) to 6.13 (49) victory.

The slick two-time North Launceston premiership star rode his preseason chances to not only prove to coach Simon Goodwin but perhaps Garry Lyon that he should be a fixture come round one.

The 226-game club legend did not name Lockhart in his Demons' best 22 players.

"He's a player - he's a real chance," Lyon backed away on Fox Footy late in the win.

"I don't think I had him in my best team to be honest.

"But he's competitive, he's quick, stays in the contest, enjoys the contest as well."

That was shown out early right from the first quarter.

Lockhart once tried to run the ball through a proverbial needle off half back, but ran into a Liam Shiels - one of the best tacklers going around.

Next touch was exquisite.

Like most of the night, it was almost a commentary of his side's ups and downs.

The up was picking the ball off a marking spill, dodging around two Hawks including 2018 Brownlow Medalist Tom Mitchell that nearly set up a goal for Nathan Jones.

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He did it again moments later to prove it was no fluke.

The 23-year-old this time had cut off the Hawks going forward, kicking the ball to space before picking up the bounce, dodging Jack Scrimshaw, then Tom Scully and shooting off a well-intended handball before Scrimshaw could claim a clean tackle.

It brought up loud cheers from the parochial crowd.

The bumpy ride continued on Lockhart's fortunes.

He sprinted to make up nearly 10 metres to effect the spoil, ideally, on James Sicily, only to get off from the ground to find out he gave away an over the shoulder.

Lockhart's endeavour was again great when he picked up the ball on the volley only for Scully to lay the tackle.

Lying chest down almost, ball pinned to the ground, Lockhart could be seen showing his disgust at the holding the ball decision.

The Lilydale product had finished the first half with six kicks, five handballs and four marks in a busy game.

Though he was more subdued after the break as the Dees broke away, he finished with 21 possessions.

Scully looked to pay back the hometown hero and much like the first-term error and much in the same spot, getting caught out after picking up a loose handball taking two steps and then stepping into Scully in a tackle.

The ex-Giant slotted a goal from 35 metres, but one of Hawks' last that at least in the end Lockhart got to laugh last.

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