North Melbourne remains winless after going down to Hawthorn by 45 points at Marvel Stadium on Sunday evening.
The triumph was the Hawks' first of the year after their worst start to a season since their 0-7 opening to the 1970 VFL campaign.
Jai Newcombe (32 disposals, nine clearances), Conor Nash (32, 10) and Connor Macdonald (24, one) were standouts for the Hawks in the midfield and small forward Dylan Moore equalled his career-best haul with four goals.
Jack Ginnivan, Mabior Chol, Karl Amon and Lloyd Meek (two each) were also among the 10 goalkickers in Hawthorn's strong spread of contributors.
Ruckman Tristan Xerri fought hard in a losing cause for North with 19 disposals, 45 hitouts and 10 clearances, while key forward Nick Larkey kicked three goals in his 100th game.
Paul Curtis also kicked three and Luke Davies-Uniacke (23 touches, six clearances) battled on.
The Kangaroos started brightly and kicked the first two goals of the match but Hawthorn booted the next three to lead at the quarter break - by seven points - for the first time this season.
KANGAROOS v HAWKS Full match coverage and stats
The Hawks took full control, piling on another six consecutive goals as the lead blew out to 45 points before half-time.
It was one-way traffic, with Mitchell's men dominating possession, territory and even the tackle count (23-10) in the second quarter.
The Kangaroos showed a bit of fight after the main break and tempers flared when Larkey crashed into Finn Maginness in a marking contest.
Cameron Zurhaar and James Sicily were also involved in a fiery exchange during the final term, but Hawthorn was always in control on the scoreboard.
Larkey shines again in game 100
Despite North Melbourne’s lack of fluid ball movement, Nick Larkey continues to be a shining light. The spearhead kicked three goals in his 100th game, continuing his streak of kicking at least one goal per game to 24 games in a row. He kicked a whopping 72 goals in 2023, and has already kicked 13 in six games so far in 2024. It’s been a grim 100 games for Larkey, only tasting victory in 20 of those matches, but his ability to kick goals and give North Melbourne a spark in the bleakest of games has been a highlight for Roos supporters.
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.2 5.5 8.6 10.8 (68)
HAWTHORN 3.3 11.6 14.8 17.11 (113)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Curtis 3, Larkey 3, Ford, Simpkin, Drury, Tucker
Hawthorn: Moore 4, Ginnivan 2, Chol 2, Amon 2, Meek 2, Gunston, Weddle, Morrison, Macdonald, Maginness
BEST
North Melbourne: Sheezel, Xerri, Curtis, Davies-Uniacke
Hawthorn: Newcombe, Nash, Macdonald, Morris, Impey
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Ford (hip)
Hawthorn: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Charlie Lazzaro (replaced Eddie Ford in the third quarter)
Hawthorn: Henry Hustwaite (replaced Massimo D’Ambrosio in the third quarter)
Crowd: 30,648 at Marvel Stadium
