Hawthorn staved off a passionate Melbourne to notch a 14.13 (97) to 12.6 (78) victory at the MCG today and stay undefeated at the top of the AFL ladder.

The Demons, who were belted by 104 points in a woeful performance against the same side in round one, came out in furious fashion today.

They were no doubt inspired by the chance to give retired captain David Neitz a fitting send-off, the injured skipper paraded around the ground before the match and also given a guard of honour by both sides at the end.

Melbourne set the scene inside the first two minutes when Hawthorn star Lance Franklin was knocked to the ground by Melbourne's Brent Moloney, stood up and then was knocked over again by Nathan Jones.

It signalled the Demons' intent to pressure, harass and tackle their opponents - and it paid off.

Bottom-placed Melbourne led by nine points at halftime, and after being overtaken in the third quarter, again hit the front in the final term, in what threatened to be the upset of the year.

Brock McLean was superb all day, winning the ball in the midfield and tackling hard, Moloney and Jones threw themselves into the packs, while Matthew Bate was constantly involved at half-forward and through the midfield.

Up forward, Russell Robertson was dangerous early, lively youngster Austin Wonaeamirri was a threat throughout and recalled big man Ben Holland chimed in with three goals.

At the other end, youngsters Colin Garland, on Lance Franklin, and Matthew Warnock, on Jarryd Roughead, were handed huge jobs, but carried them out well, with great support from their team-mates, the Hawks big forwards having just one goal each to halftime.

But, after Melbourne were clearly the better side in the first half, the Hawks lifted their intensity in the third quarter, outscoring the Demons 6.2 to 3.1 to take a 10-point lead at the last change.

Captain Sam Mitchell led the revival with his strong work in the packs, with Chance Bateman and Brad Sewell also lifting the Hawks in the middle of the ground.

With the ball being delivered more often and more smoothly, the Hawks forward line also swung into life, Franklin kicking two goals in the third term and small forwards Cyril Rioli and Mark Williams three each in the second half, after failing to score a major between them before halftime.

The Demons stayed in the hunt with three of the first four goals of the last quarter to lead by a point, but Hawthorn again cleared away with goals to Rioli and Williams.

The breaking point came when Melbourne's Aaron Davey brilliantly chasing down Hawk Jarryd Morton within scoring range, but was unlucky to be penalised for a push.

Had he won a free kick, he could have goaled to reduce the margin to six points about 21 minutes into the term, but instead the ball was whisked to the other end where Williams kicked the sealer.

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