Hawthorn finished with a solid victory over Essendon in Round One, securing a 17.9 (111) to 12.13 (85) win at the MCG.
The Hawks showed composure throughout the match, pulling away in the second half.
The Bombers had clearance dominance throughout the night, led by Jye Caldwell, who was excellent with 36 disposals and a game-high 10 clearances, but their taller types weren't able to be impactful in the air.
Essendon tried dutifully to the end and lost key players Jordan Ridley (concussion) and Kyle Langford (hamstring) throughout the match and can be buoyed by running out the contest, the first game (and goal) of Isaac Kako, Nick Bryan's development in the ruck and their midfield mixing it against an excellent on-ball group.
Kako's memorable goal – a soccer off the ground from 20m out as the first goal of Essendon's season – only seemed to ignite Hawthorn into action after a hard-fought start. They kicked the next six goals of the quarter to finish the term with a 27-point lead.
Watson's two strong set shot goals set the tone, Ginnivan's mark, twist and kick and ex-Bomber Massimo D'Ambrosio's slicing run and left-foot kick that sailed through.
The Bombers struck back with a better start to the second term with three goals, including a ripper from the boundary line for Merrett, but they were overwhelmed by Hawthorn's pressure and run.
In its first game of the season after last week's postponed clash with Gold Coast, Essendon grew into the match, finding more of its rhythm in the third term. The Bombers booted three of the first four goals of the term to chip back the deficit to 21 points.
The Bombers went inside 50 but a missed kick saw Langford reach for the ball at ground level and strain his hamstring, with the Hawks moments later whisking the ball forward to get a settling goal and all but put an end to Essendon's semi charge.
HAWTHORN 6.1 10.4 13.7 17.9 (111)
ESSENDON 1.4 4.5 7.11 12.13 (85)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Moore 3, Watson 3, Chol 2, Ginnivan 2, Hardwick 2, D'Ambrosio, Day, Macdonald, Maginness, Weddle
Essendon: Duursma 2, Langford 2, Merrett 2, Caldwell, Draper, Gresham, Jones, Kako, Perkins
BEST
Hawthorn: Moore, Amon, Newcombe, Sicily, Nash, Macdonald
Essendon: Caldwell, Merrett, Durham, Duursma, Martin
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Scrimshaw (concussion)
Essendon: Langford (hamstring), Ridley (concussion)
SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Sam Frost (replaced Jack Scrimshaw in the second quarter)
Essendon: Jade Gresham (replaced Jordan Ridley in the third quarter)
Crowd: 80,735 at the MCG
