Round 1, 2004
Hawthorn vs Melbourne
Saturday 27 March
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 38,351
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Hawthorn | 2.7 | 5.12 | 11.13 | 17.17.119 |
| Melbourne | 1.2 | 4.2 | 6.5 | 10.10.70 |
Hawthorn win by 49 points
Goalkickers: Simon Godfrey 2, Brad Green 2, Aaron Davey 1, Ben Holland 1, Travis Johnstone 1, Brad Miller 1, Paul Wheatley 1, Matthew Whelan 1
Brownlow Votes:
1 - Adem Yze
Milestones:
First Game
Aaron Davey
First Goal
Aaron Davey
With Melbourne having lost a Wizard Cup semi-final by a point, and the Hawks winless over the pre-season Melbourne went in slight favourites.
The Demons failed to spark in the midfield - losing the centre clearances 19-8, and David Neitz was seeing so little ball up forward that Neale Daniher moved him into the backline to get a touch.
Hawthorn could have put the Demons away in the second quarter but kicked inaccurately. Brad Miller became the focal point up front with his captain up the ground, and when Paul Wheatley goalled ten minutes into the third term the margin was cut to 14 points. Simon Godfrey could have made the gap even less after marking 30m out, but attempted to play on and lost the ball. From there Hawthorn went on to win comfortably.
Clint Bizzell sat out the last quarter due to bruised ribs. Daniel Ward was reported for knocking Hawk Nick Ries out off the ball and suspended for three matches.
Lists
Tribunal
Media
Age - 27/03/2004