Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson accused his side of clocking out five minutes before the end of Saturday's AFL clash with Western Bulldogs, before admitting he was happy to simply take the 19-point win and move on.
Hawks skipper Luke Hodge kicked a stunning 65-metre goal as the ladder leaders improved their win-loss record to 14-2 with a 13.17 (95) to 11.10 (76) victory at Launceston's Aurora Stadium.
In the absence of injured key forward Lance Franklin, Coleman Medal contender Jarryd Roughead booted three goals for the Hawks to take his season's tally to 50 after an entertaining duel with cousin Jordan Roughead.
The Bulldogs suffered their 12th loss from 16 outings but finished strongly by kicking the last four goals of the match after trailing by 44 points at the 24-minute mark of the final term.
"It's good that you guys are still here actually," Clarkson told reporters.
"Our guys left five minutes before the end of the game, jumped on the bus and went back to the airport.
"We were terrible the last little bit. But it was a pretty tough encounter - tough conditions, heavy ground.
"We couldn't shake them off. Well we did shake them, but then let them back in the junk time at the end of the game.
"That was a bit disappointing, but by and large our boys were pretty good."
Clarkson said the Hawks had endured a tough month including a win in Launceston over Brisbane, a loss to Geelong at the MCG and victory away against Port Adelaide.
"We've got to freshen ourselves up and get ready for the Bombers now," Clarkson said.
"Really it's just a matter of continuing to play good enough footy to get the four points, and keep adding them up so you put yourself in a good enough position at the end of the year."
Clarkson said he expected to regain key players Franklin (knee) and Sam Mitchell (ill) for Friday's MCG blockbuster against Essendon while Grant Birchall (knee) has resumed running.
Saturday's highlight came in the second term. With his side only 15 points ahead at the 23-minute mark, Hodge kicked a classic captain's goal.
Hodge smothered a kick by Ryan Griffen and booted the ball forward with an old-fashioned torpedo punt which sailed through the goals on the first bounce.
Hawthorn led by 15, 20 and 15 points at the breaks and couldn't shake the Bulldogs who were led by Griffen who was best-afield with a game-high 37 disposals and two goals.
"I'm enjoying working with a team that doesn't lay down and wants to keep fighting," Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney said.
The Bulldogs will host West Coast at Etihad Stadium next Sunday.
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