The signs were numerous before the AFL match between Hawthorn and Essendon at the MCG that they might return to the fierce days of the 1980s.

While Essendon's 74-point thumping, 24.10 (154) to 12.8 (80), was far removed from their tight struggles when the two teams were AFL powers, their third-quarter brawl was vintage Hawks-Bombers aggro.

In a newspaper column this morning, former Hawks hard man and current football director Dermott Brereton spoke of hating, but respecting Essendon when he played them.

Only a few minutes before the opening bounce, former Victorian premier and Hawks member Jeff Kennett publicly called for his bottom-placed side to show "mongrel".

No doubt Brereton and Kennett were delighted when the brawl erupted out of seemingly nothing on the southern wing, not far from the notorious "all-in" between these sides during the 1985 grand final.

It lasted several minutes and will keep video reports officer Ian Robinson extremely busy.

This was no mere push-and-shove - it sent Bombers Adam McPhee and Jason Winderlich to the bench with bloodied faces.

Even post-game, the Hawks were fiery - after the report details were read out to the media, a voice from the back of the room called out "What were Essendon's reports?"

When told there were none, president Ian Dicker then replied "What?!"

Campbell Brown is on report so far for wrestling and striking and John Barker will be up for striking, but they will have plenty of company next week at the tribunal after Robinson wears out his tape of the brawl.

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