THE Western Bulldogs have gone down to their first defeat of the season, losing to the Hawks by 40 points at Gather Round.
The Hawks triumphed 15.14 (104) to 8.16 (64) at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, with the Dogs' misery compounded by a painful ankle injury for Ed Richards, as the brilliant onballer limped off after twisting awkwardly late in the game.
The Dogs join Sydney, Fremantle and the Hawks with four wins and a loss and are still looking for their first Gather Round win.
The Bulldogs, with Hawthorn dominating stoppage clearances 34-16, struggled to assert customary midfield control.
Skipper Marcus Bontempelli (26 disposals) was busy, alongside Ryley Sanders (25 disposals) and Richards, who had 22 touches and seven tackles before being hurt.
Key forward Sam Darcy kicked two goals, both in the first quarter - the first from a free kick, the second after a mark.
Hawthorn had the best of the opening term, with Mitch Lewis kicking two of four goals for a nine-point quarter-time lead.
The Hawks then put the squeeze on the Dogs, holding them goalless in a decisive second term to create a 28-point advantage at half-time.
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The Dogs, after blowing a series of set shots, reduced their deficit two minutes into the third quarter when Joel Freijah ran into an open goal.
But the Hawks accelerated again with three goals in less than four minutes.
The Dogs appeared to be on the canvas but were revived by young pups Josh Dolan, Harvey Gallagher and Cooper Hynes.
The inexperienced trio all slotted goals in a rapid retort from the previously unbeaten Bulldogs, who were 21 points down at three-quarter time.
But the Hawks closed out victory before 48,481 spectators, kicking three consecutive goals before Bulldogs playmaker Richards hobbled off.
HAWTHORN 4.2 7.5 10.10 15.14 (104)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.3 2.7 6.13 8.16 (64)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Lewis 3, Gunston 3, Moore 2, Weddle, Watson, Newcombe, Meek, Macdonald, Ginnivan, Reeves
Western Bulldogs: Darcy 2, Naughton, Hynes, Gallagher, Freijah, Dolan, Croft
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Chol (hamstring)
Western Bulldogs: Richards (leg)
Crowd: 48,451 at Adelaide Oval
