Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was thankful an AFL match doesn't have five quarters after his undermanned side rode a brilliant first half effort for a 22-point win over Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.

The Hawks maintained a spot in the top eight and kept Melbourne planted at the bottom of the ladder, running out winners 17.12 (114) to 13.14 (92).

Forwards Lance Franklin booted four goals and Jarryd Roughead three as the Hawks effectively had the match wrapped up by halftime - booting 11 goals to four in a first half befitting the premiers.

But losing two players in the third term to injury - Garry Moss with a kick to the leg and Cameron Stokes with hamstring tightness - meant the Hawks' lead was sliced dramatically late.

While the Dees never realistically looked like winning, they did trail by as much as 55 points early in the third term before Hawthorn's first half effort - especially in a frenetically busy midfield - took a toll.

Melbourne booted five goals to one in the final term as Hawthorn's weary players - unable to rotate as much as needed through the midfield - finished the match running on empty.

"If you run as hard as what we did early in the game, and then you have to lift the volume of your running players even further in the latter part of the game because you've lost a couple of players to rotate, that makes it pretty tough," Clarkson said.

"I'm glad the game didn't go for five quarters.

"But we played some pretty damaging footy in the first half - I think the first half is the best we've played for some time."

The premiers asserted their dominance from the opening bounce - midfielder Jordan Lewis outstanding and Franklin booting three goals by quarter-time.

A 43-point halftime lead built further before Melbourne - led by a virtual lone hand from onballer Colin Sylvia - poured enough polyfiller into the first half cracks to stop any percentage blowout.

Poor decision-making let down Melbourne more than once - summed up best by an incident involving senior player Russell Robertson in the second quarter.

The forward took a sensational mark right on the goal-line, then attempted to play on and kick a goal for the highlights reel while lying on his back.

Instead it was spoiled by a grateful Campbell Brown - and is destined for replay after replay on the end-of-year clanger tape.

Demons coach Dean Bailey lamented his side's slow start to the match.

"Slow first quarter, slow second quarter, bit better in the third, better in the last. We'd prefer it was the other way around," Bailey said.

"You can't give any team six-goal starts, let alone the premiers. It's hard to come back from there."

Hawthorn defender Beau Muston made an outstanding AFL debut following three knee reconstructions.

The 22-year-old gathered 31 possessions, booted a goal and looked entirely at home at the top level.

But Muston is likely to also face scrutiny by the match review panel on Monday for a late fourth quarter hit on Sylvia.

Sylvia was easily Melbourne's best, booting four goals and having 37 touches.

Hawthorn move to a 5-4 win-loss record while the Dees remain below fellow strugglers Richmond on percentage at 1-8.

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