On a day when the Demons played their 1000th match at the MCG, and paid tribute to the retired David Schwarz with a lap of honour, the Hawks spoiled the party.
After a scrappy opening quarter where the Demons kicked 0.6, Hawthorn had extended the gap to 25 halfway through the second term. Melbourne were still goalless and Neitz had kicked 0.4. They ended up with nine behinds before kicking a goal.
Steven Powell got the Dees first at the 21 minute mark and they spent the last ten minutes buried in attack. Russell Robertson goalled from a brilliant pack mark, then Neitz, Wheatley and Johnstone joined in. At the long break the scores were level.
Best were Powell, Robertson and White. Neitz was well held after booting 16 goals in the previous two weeks. Paul Wheatley and Rayden Tallis were reported for wrestling each other. Stephen Powell was cited on video evidence for striking Luke Hodge after the half-time siren and was suspended for two matches.
Neale Daniher said "What was probably the most annoying feature of the game was when we got a goal up early in the third quarter and then allowed them to take over the game. It was very, very disappointing."
The Demons wore a special jumper to celebrate their 1000th match at the MCG.