Veteran Shaun Burgoyne has turned back the clock for Hawthorn as they snapped a three-game losing streak by the barest of margins against Port Adelaide in Launceston.
The Hawks held on by three-points in a thriller on Saturday afternoon, with the side's big guns standing up when it counted.
Hawthorn came back from a 26-point deficit at quarter-time in the 9.10.64 to 9.7.61 win.
Skipper Jarryd Roughead booted what turned out to be the match-winner late in a topsy-turvy final term, while 35-year-old Burgoyne finished with 26 disposals, eight clearances and a goal.
"In the last four or five minutes when we really needed our players to stand tall and be really tough in the contest (they did)," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.
"Shaun's presence in there was really important for us. (He was) really consistent throughout the course of the day."
Burgoyne could have a date with the judiciary after being put on report for rough conduct on Jared Polec.
The performance of the umpires was also drew attention.
An AFL record eleven 50m penalties were blowen, including eight for Hawthorn.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley took a subtle swipe in his post-match press conference.
"I've got a pretty big job as it is on game day to make sure I'm coaching Port Adelaide," he said.
"I would suggest there's some coaching to be done on some other areas in that game too."
Port Adelaide hit the lead in the final term with back-to-back goals with about 10 minutes to play.
But Roughead put his side back in front with what turned out to be the final major in the 24th minute of the last term.
The Hawks' scrambling defence did the rest.
Hawthorn had the chance to ice the game but several shots hit the post and ex-Power player Jarman Impey kicked out on the full.
The win keeps the Hawks in touch with the top-eight but Clarkson admitted their misfiring attack still needs plenty of work.
"On far too many occasions we had chances where we had clear ball and we just didn't find a team mate clear enough in space," he said.
"That needs to improve for us. Because nine goals in a game of footy isn't going to win you many games."
Ball magnet Tom Mitchell kicked two goals and picked up a game-high 28 possessions but was kept quiet in the second half.
Hinkley said it was an 'ugly' game from both sides.
"We let it slip. We had the game where we wanted it to be played," he said.
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