Hawthorn has moved into eighth position on the ladder after dispatching Gold Coast by 53 points at University of Tasmania Stadium.
The Hawks were wasteful in front of goal in the 13.18 (96) to 5.13 (43) victory, yet managed to keep the Suns goalless in the second and third terms while they booted eight of their own.
Gold Coast meanwhile managed to break their goalless final term drought, registering two goals in the final term to end their wretched run.
Desperate to bounce back after last week's disappointing loss to St Kilda, the Suns came out with the intentions to control the ball early and assert themselves on the contest.
Although it seemed everything was in Hawthorn's favour with Daniel Howe scoring the first major of the term, the Suns booted three of their own to outscore the home side.
Capitalising on Hawthorn's uncharacteristic mistakes and sloppy ball skills, the Suns quickly responded with a two goals off the boot of Tom Lynch and one from Peter Wright, today being the first appearance of the big man this season.
Gold Coast’s pressure in their midfield and defensive half prevented and limited the Hawks' transition of the ball from the centre into their forward 50; something which they had so such trouble doing with ball in hand.
As Jack Gunston continued to have problems with his calf, the situation looked to be down for the Hawks, but a last minute goal after the siren to the nearly one-legged Gunston sliced the margin to nine points at quarter-time.
Hawthorn's tidiness and effectiveness continued to grow into the second term, with three unanswered goals allowing the home side to snatch back the lead midway through the quarter.
The efforts of Liam Shiels - finishing the term with 12 disposals and one thrilling goal - seemed to kick the home side into gear, with their newfound rhythm allowing them to hit the scoreboard to great effect.
With majors to Luke Breust and Shaun Burgoyne, the Hawks began to carve through the Suns in the middle of the ground, yet were ultimately wasteful in front of goal with 3.6 registered for the second term.
Unlike the previous quarter, the Suns struggled to move the ball through the centre and were forced wide, subsequently scoring just 0.2 for the term.
With 13 points separating the two sides, Gold Coast were set on capitalising on the blustery conditions in the third term and establish a healthy buffer going into the fourth.
Yet the Suns were once again kept goalless, as Hawthorn mirrored the quarter just gone with three goals to extend their lead.
Errant kicking was again on the radar for the Hawks, but Breust finally kicked true to secure his second and Hawthorn's fifth consecutive goal for the match.
Hawthorn seemed completely in control of the game, with the midfield force of Shiels, Burgoyne and Tom Mitchell influential to the Hawks' unquestioned dominance across the ground.
Despite the Suns' efforts, it just seemed to get worse for the young side as Paul Puopolo and Jaeger O’Meara converted to extend Hawthorn’s lead to 34 points heading into the final term.
Gold Coast struggled to respond to the surging Hawks as Gunston booted another to further ridicule the visitors, and it only seemed to get worse when as Sam Day left the ground with a suspected dislocated shoulder.
But a shining light came for the Suns with Alex Sexton finally kicking a goal for the Suns; their first since the opening term and their first final quarter major in five weeks.
Sexton's efforts to reduce this humiliating margin however came too late against the relentless Hawks, as they continue to further their lead thanks to Isaac Smith and Gunston.
Although Wright slotted his second, it was merely a consolation major as the Hawks took home a 53-point win and a crucial spot in the top-eight.
Hawthorn will look to maintain their position in the top-eight when they take on Greater Western Sydney next Saturday night at Spotless Stadium, while Gold Coast head home to the to regroup and prepare for their match against Collingwood.
HAWTHORN 2.1 5.7 8.13 13.18 (96)
GOLD COAST 3.4 3.6 3.9 5.13 (43)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Gunston 3, Breust 2, Smith, O’Brien, O’Meara, Burgoyne, Puopolo, Shiels, Roughead, Howe
Gold Coast: Wright 2, Lynch 2, Sexton
BEST
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Gunston, Burgoyne, Breust, Shiels
Gold Coast: Wright, Lynch, Miller, Swallow, Lyons
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Burgoyne (hamstring)
Gold Coast: Day (shoulder)
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