HAWTHORN has notched up an important win as it chases a spot in September, disposing of Port Adelaide by 38 points at UTAS Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Hawks played the torrential conditions well, limiting the Power's impact when they kicked with the breeze and taking full advantage when it was their turn, as they played out a 13.9 (87) to 7.7 (49) victory.
Veterans Jack Gunston and Jarman Impey booted three goals each in the slogging win that has revived the Hawks' top-four hopes.
Dylan Moore was equally superb in the victory, collecting 32 disposals, two goals and nine tackles as the Hawks climbed from seventh to fourth to be two games clear inside the top eight.
Meanwhile, the 11th-placed Power slipped from finals contention in Ken Hinkley's final season at the helm.
Port joined a succession of clubs unable to control Hawthorn's 33-year-old stalwart Gunston, who has now kicked 42 goals this season, while ex-Port utility Impey put the finishing touches with three goals in a 10-minute burst in the final term.
Port kicked with a gale in the opening quarter, but the Hawks were superb - after a feisty start, scores were locked at 3.2 apiece at the first break.
Hawthorn youngster Calsher Dear booted the first goal after Port's Ollie Lord was penalised for a behind-play bump on Hawks captain James Sicily.
The Power responded with a Mitch Georgiades goal 18 seconds later and, while Port celebrated, Sicily slung Jack Lukosius to the ground, resulting in a free kick.
Lukosius converted, but the Hawks then generally held sway into the stiff wind, with Dear's late second major levelling scores.
Hawthorn then cashed in with three goals to one in a rain-soaked second stanza, with Gunston booting two, including a stunning 30m set shot from the boundary line.
That strike gave the Hawks a handy 13-point half-time buffer, but the lead rapidly disappeared in the third quarter.
Port's Jordon Sweet and Lord goaled with set shots to tie scores, and a tense seven-minute stalemate followed.
But the Hawks, against the tide, then made a decisive break, with goals from the influential Moore and Gunston creating a 12-point advantage at three-quarter time.
Hawthorn then swept to victory with five goals to one in the final quarter.
Midfielders James Worpel (26 disposals), Josh Ward (26), Impey (26) and Blake Hardwick (27) revelled on the heavy track, while for Port, Lukosius and Georgiades scored two goals each and winger Jase Burgoyne (26 touches) and half-back Kane Farrell (25) were busy.
HAWTHORN 3.2 6.4 8.6 13.9 (87)
PORT ADELAIDE 3.2 4.3 6.6 7.7 (49)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Gunston 3, Impey 3, Dear 2, Moore 2, Ginnivan, Macdonald, Watson
Port Adelaide: Georgiades 2, Lukosius 2, Lord, Lorenz, Sweet
BEST
Hawthorn: Moore, Impey, Hardwick, Worpel, Nash, Gunston
Port Adelaide: Sweet, Lukosius, Farrell, Wines, Bergman, Butters
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Port Adelaide: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Bailey Macdonald (replaced Mitch Lewis in the third quarter)
Port Adelaide: Dylan Williams (replaced Mani Liddy in the third quarter)
Crowd: 12,772 at UTAS Stadium
