Hawthorn's Jack Gunston has been hailed by his coach as "the difference" after a six-goal showing in the Hawks' 31-point AFL win over Port Adelaide in Launceston.
The Hawks kept a sloppy Power scoreless in Saturday afternoon's opening quarter, before closing out a 12.8 (80) to 6.13 (49) victory to remain firmly in the top-eight mix.
Gunston, who equalled his best-career haul, slotted the opening two majors and picked up 21 disposals and nine marks in a starring performance.
The 27-year-old also showed off some soccer skills, with his fourth coming from an outside right boot that nudged the ball around the goal post.
"He was probably the difference between the two sides," Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said.
"On a pretty grubby day, his polish with the ball in the front third was pretty important.
"One guy has kicked six goals where there were 18 for the game - that's pretty significant."
Port Adelaide, slipping to 5-5 for the season, didn't kick a major until the 12th minute of the second term in their lowest-scoring first half this year.
Hawthorn join them on 20 competition points in a tight battle for the top eight.
Despite missing gun big man Ben McEvoy, Jonathon Ceglar and late inclusion Marc Pittonet won the ruck battle.
Hawthorn's Ricky Henderson topped the possession count with 37 in front of a crowd of 11,637.
Aided by a strong breeze, the Hawks kicked all four goals of the opening quarter and dominated inside 50s 16-6 for a 25-point lead.
Several Hawks' goals came after Port fumbles.
"It was really clear early that they were up and about and hunting us a little bit more than we were hunting them back," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.
"That's a poor thing for us. Our starts haven't been super for most of the year."
The Power cut the margin to 18 points midway through the third term but, every time they threatened, Hawthorn pulled away.
Hawthorn led by 22 early in the final term when Gunston gave extra breathing space and cruised into the goal square for his fifth.
Tom Rockliff, who had 25 disposals for the Power, failed to finish the match with a hamstring problem.
In the first game against his former club, Hawthorn recruit Chad Wingard was solid and finished with 20 touches.
Hawthorn defender Jack Scrimshaw left the field with a knee problem in the third term but Clarkson said it didn't appear serious.
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