Hawthorn have started season 2008 in brilliant fashion with a 104 point thashing of melbourne without five of it's stars. Hawthorn won 23.16 (154) to 6.14(50) The only lowlight was the injury to key defender Trent Croad who will miss up to 12 weeks with a broken arm.

Forward Lance Buddy Franklin was superb kicking 6 goals the same amount as the whole melbourne team. Rioli,Stokes and Dew had great debuts for the hawks and are set to be big contributers this season.

GOALS
Hawthorn: Franklin 6, Roughead 3, Osborne 3, Dew 2, Boyle 2, Stokes 2, Campbell 2, Taylor, Young, Rioli
Melbourne: Robertson 3, Green 2, Newton

BEST
Hawthorn: Bateman, Franklin, Mitchell, Gilham, Osborne, Ladson, Dew, Birchall
Melbourne: Jones, Buckley, Green, Moloney