James Sicily starred as Hawthorn took a step towards stamping themselves as a genuine heavyweight in a hard-fought 20-point win over Sydney in the AFL season opener.
The 'Hollywood Hawks' got down and dirty as they kicked off their campaign in impressive fashion with the 14.12 (96) to 11.10 (76) victory at the SCG on Friday night.
Will Day (26 disposals, three goals) shone as the Hawks kicked 25 points clear late in the first half before holding off a surging Swans fightback in the second.
Captain Sicily (20 disposals, eight marks) was brilliant in defence to start with and influential again when swung forward late, kicking the sealer in a three-goals-to-none final term.
Dylan Moore (two goals) terrorised Sydney's defence and Jack Scrimshaw (18 disposals), Jai Newcombe (19 touches) and ruckman Lloyd Meek were also influential.
The only real concern for Hawthorn was a right ankle injury to James Worpel just before halftime, which led to the midfielder's substitution.
Sydney, who had stewed on last year's grand final agony all summer, missed injured stars Errol Gulden and Callum Mills in their first game under new coach Dean Cox.
Chad Warner (21 disposals, two goals), Nick Blakey (26, one) and Isaac Heeney (21 touches, 10 clearances) stood up in losing cause.
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There were six lead changes in a frantic opening quarter as Day's midfield work and two goals from Moore helped the Hawks to a six-point lead.
The game predictably tightened up as players tired in the second term, but Karl Amon kept up the pace when he produced a very early goal-of-the-year contender.
Amon took on several opponents and played a one-two with Newcombe, whose clever handpass allowed his teammate to run on and snap a superb major - the first of four successive goals for Hawthorn.
Day had been the star to that point with monster first-half tallies that stood at 19 disposals, five clearances and three goals.
James Jordon was sent to the Hawks' star after halftime and put the clamps on Day, who also spent part of the third quarter off the field being assessed by medical staff.
Warner and Blakey were influential as the Swans charged in the third term, producing their own four-goal run to get back within two points before heavy rain made conditions tough.
Goals were at a premium in the final term and Finn Maginnes drew first blood for Hawthorn before Ollie Florent's horror kick across goal gifted another to Connor Macdonald.
Sicily ended the contest with five minutes left to play, adding the Hawks' third of the term.