MELBOURNE'S incredible first-half has set up an important 35-point win over Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium on Saturday.

It was a tale of two halves, with the Demons leading by 77 points at the main break before the Hawks lifted significantly in the second half, kicking 12 of the last 14 goals to pull back the margin.

But the Demons' early knockout blow was enough to secure the 19.11 (125) to 14.6 (90) victory and move them into sixth spot on the ladder.

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Against an undermanned Hawks defence, the Demons' forwards feasted to push the lead out to 96 points at one stage of the third quarter. Jacob van Rooyen kicked five goals, Bayley Fritsch finished with four, while Harry Sharp, Harry Petty and Latrelle Pickett booted two goals each.

van Rooyen was particularly brilliant, collecting 24 disposals, eight marks and 10 score involvements to go with his five-goal haul.

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RD 17 | Electric Melbourne party rolls on as talls and smalls fire

Harry Sharp makes Hawthorn pay with a sweet snap before Jacob van Rooyen curls his fourth major in style

For the Hawks, Mabior Chol finished with five goals - all in the second half - while debutant Noah Mraz was one of his side's standouts with 12 marks (including six contested and seven intercept marks) and nine intercept possessions.

More to come

HAWTHORN    1.2   1.3     5.5    14.6 (90)
MELBOURNE   7.5   13.8   17.11  19.11 (125)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Chol 5, Ward 2, Ginnivan 2, Macdonald, Lewis, Gunston, Day, Dalton
Melbourne: van Rooyen 5, Fritsch 5, Sharp 2, L.Pickett 2, Petty 2, Laurie, Langdon, Jefferson

BEST
Hawthorn: Ward, Chol, Mraz, Hardwick, Newcombe
Melbourne: van Rooyen, Gawn, Petty, Fritsch, Sparrow, Jiath

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Melbourne: Nil

Crowd: TBC at UTAS Stadium