Hawthorn's ability to rise above the ordinary was decisive in its 32-point win over Carlton in Friday night's AFL round-four opener at Telstra Dome.

The Hawks were fractionally better than the Blues in a forgettable first half, but made their advantage in skill pay after the long interval and won 15.10 (100) to 9.14 (68) before 45,102 fans.

It wasn't pretty, but Hawthorn's win was its third from four starts and made Alastair Clarkson's side the bolter of the season given it managed only five wins for the entire 2005.

Trent Croad booted five goals for the winners and midfielder Luke Hodge was the game's saviour because of his preference to kick long and hit targets.

Croad gave Lance Whitnall the run around in the first quarter and booted three goals.

But the big Blue fought back to be one of his side's best when shifted to half-forward - despite a nasty cut to the head in the third term - and finished with three goals.

But as ugly as Hawthorn often played, Carlton made its opponent resemble Cinderella.

The Blues could not break Hawthorn's flood, and fiddled, floundered and fumbled throughout and chalked up the sort of clanger count in the first half most teams register in a game.

Croad's fourth goal halfway through the third quarter - after Blue Kade Simpson coughed up the ball with a limp kick - put the Hawks 21 points up, and that was it.

Five goals to three in the last quarter gave Hawthorn another comfortable win after earlier victories over Fremantle and Geelong.

Shane Crawford played despite hamstring tightness in the lead-up and was among Hawthorn's best, along with Michael Osborne and defender Danny Jacobs.

Carlton onballer Nick Stevens was prolific and booted two goals, while Andrew Walker and Ryan Houlihan were handy.

Hawthorn will also fancy its chances next weekend against Essendon, while Carlton will welcome back full-forward Brendan Fevola from suspension for another Friday night encounter against Richmond at the MCG.

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