The Western Bulldogs' week from hell has worsened, with bottom side Hawthorn plunging them into the wooden spoon hunt with a 11-point AFL win at Telstra Dome.

The Hawks posted only their third win of the season with a 19.6 (120) to 16.13 (109) victory over the hapless Dogs, whose coach Peter Rohde was sacked during the week.

The impending departure of Rohde at season's end did little to fire up the Bulldogs.

They fell three goals behind within the first eight minutes, reduced the deficit to five points midway through the third term, then butchered their opportunities to lose control of the match.

Tonight's result now leaves the Bulldogs just one win above the Hawks, their confidence shattered and facing matches against high-flying Port Adelaide and top eight contenders the Kangaroos and Essendon to finish their season.

Hawthorn broke a 10-match losing streak with tonight's win, while the Dogs are now winless in seven games.

Hawthorn ambushed the Dogs early to kick the first three goals, playing their best football in months to push out to an 11-point lead at quarter-time.

The Hawks built what turned out a match-winning lead midway through the second term, kicking three successive goals after what had been an arm wrestle to that point.

Tempers flared after Nathan Thompson kicked the Hawks into a 27-point lead with several players involved in a punch-up - one of two melees in the quarter.

Thompson and Dogs defender Brian Harris were heavily involved in the first, while Hawthorn forward Kris Barlow is also likely to come under AFL scrutiny after leaping into the midst of the melee.

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