Hawthorn's 33-point upset win over GWS at the MCG might have been difficult to watch at times but it certainly wasn't the effort of a middle of the road AFL team.
The disciplined Hawks carried out master coach Alastair Clarkson's ultra-defensive strategy to the letter to grind the lacklustre Giants into submission for a 10.11 (71) to 5.8 (38) win in front of a meagre 14,636 fans.
Clarkson declared his side middle of the road after last week's disappointing loss to Melbourne but they were anything but as they stymied GWS from the outset.
The super-charged Giants were the free-wheeling, highest-scoring team of the competition going into the match but Clarkson made sure they encountered roadblocks at every turn.
"The game was really based around the spirit and endeavour of our players just hanging in and denying them the space they usually utilise so well," Clarkson said.
"It was a really pleasing performance.
"It was a tough week with the whole (Jarryd) Roughead situation and I thought Isaac (Smith) was going to be ok to play ... they're a couple of big 'spirit' players out of our group.
"To have both of them missing was a little bit of a concern but that's why it was so pleasing."
Former skipper Roughead kicked five goals in the VFL after being sensationally dropped, while a sore Smith was a late withdrawal.
Former Crow Ricky Henderson continued his impressive season to lead the way with 36 possessions and James Sicily was important down back with 27 disposals, while also sneaking forward for a late goal.
The Hawks' performance was even more impressive considering gun midfielder Jaeger O'Meara was unable to have his usual influence, kept to 15 possessions by Matt De Boer.
Stephen Coniglio had 26 touches for GWS but he had precious little support.
Runaway Coleman Medal leader Jeremy Cameron was held goalless by James Frawley, who was reported after pushing him into the boundary fence, as Hawthorn kept GWS to their lowest score of the season.
Jeremy Finlayson booted the Giants' only goal of the second half, his third major coming after a final siren that mercifully put an end to a lifeless performance that harked back to the bad old days when the AFL new boys were routinely thrashed.
The result means the Giants have notched just two wins and suffered 14 losses at the MCG since entering the competition.
"Until we actually win, the story of us struggling on the MCG (will continue)," GWS coach Leon Cameron said.
"I can't deny that at the moment because we were so poor.
"I don't think the ground got us. Today, I think our effort got us and our effort wasn't up to AFL standard."
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