Hawks hold off Demons for upset AFL win

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson is wary of another false dawn after a stirring AFL win under the MCG lights.

The Hawks were beaten again in the third quarter on Sunday, but they rallied to hold off Melbourne by three points.

After former Hawthorn star Jordan Lewis kicked the last goal of the match with a minute left and the Demons won the centre clearance, the Hawks defended grimly and won 14.10 (94) to 14.7 (91).

The upset result comes a fortnight after their first win of the season over West Coast, followed by last weekend's 75-point walloping from St Kilda in Launceston.

That disaster had Clarkson warning of "catastrophic" change and he hopes this time, the Hawks will keep improving.

They will start favourites next Saturday against Brisbane in Launceston.

"We're hoping this is just a little step forward for us," Clarkson said.

"We're very, very mindful that we thought West Coast was going to be a step forward for us.

"Our effort the next week was far, far below par.

"What was pleasing today, we were challenged significantly in the third quarter ... and we found a way to regroup and get ourselves a pretty important win."

The Hawks won despite star recruit Jaeger O'Meara's late withdrawal with his ongoing knee injury.

In his first game back from a jaw fracture, Hawks veteran Grant Birchall was forced off in the first quarter, also with a knee injury.

Hawthorn kicked the first goal of the second half to lead by a game-high 35 points.

But the Demons roared back, kicking seven goals to three in the third term and trailing by only one point at the final change.

This season the Hawks have only won one third term, equal-worst with Collingwood.

Melbourne won nearly every significant statistic - disposals, inside 50s, clearances, contested possessions - but were left lamenting a poor first half.

"Am I proud of their comeback? Yeah, I'm proud that they continue to respond when they're challenged, but I'm very frustrated with what I saw early," said Demons coach Simon Goodwin.

"If you bring that to a game, it's not going to stand up too often."

After being the focus of pre-game attention, Lewis was high among Melbourne's best.

Demons Key forward Jesse Hogan also kicked three goals after returning from a week off because of the death of his father.

Hawks veteran Shaun Burgoyne was outstanding and made a critical clearance in the last few seconds, while young key forward Tim O'Brien took 10 marks and kicked two goals.

Midfielder Jack Viney and defender Sam Frost were best for the Demons.

Melbourne lost the hitouts by a wide margin to Ben McEvoy as they cope without their frontline ruckmen.

"We're not sitting here saying 'poor Melbourne, we haven't got a ruckman'," Goodwin said.

"We've got to find a way."