A surging Hawthorn have pulled off a 14-point upset of Sydney to grab their second win of the AFLW season.
With just two points separating the teams at halftime, the Hawks produced a stellar third quarter to set up a 5.10 (40) to 3.8 (26) victory at Sydney's Henson Park on Saturday.
It marked the first time Hawthorn (2-5) have won interstate since joining the competition last season.
"It’s a real credit to the players. They got themselves out of that," Hawks coach Bec Goddard said.
"They were the ones that did that work and showed a hell of a lot of resilience today."
Kristy Stratton and Aine McDonagh were the heroes for the Hawks, kicking two goals each, while Aileen Gilroy (18 disposals), Kaitlyn Ashmore (23) and Tilly Lucas-Rodd (18) were prominent in the midfield.
Laura Gardiner (27 disposals) shone for Sydney (3-4) and was well-supported by co-captains Chloe Molloy (21) and Lucy McEvoy (20).
With the Swans eager to break away early, a monster effort by Molloy in the first term set up two quick goals from Rebecca Privitelli and Cynthia Hamilton.
Stratton slotted a goal to spark the sluggish Hawks, who were able to close the margin to two points.
Little movement was made on the scoreboard in the second term as pressure began to mount, with both sides getting only three behinds each.
Emily Bates worked overtime in the third quarter to get the Hawks territory, taking out 10 disposals and three clearances in that term.
Her work paid off and it was McDonagh who kicked truly to open the second half and finally end the goal drought.
With Sydney unable to find a response, majors by Stratton and Sophie Locke built the Hawthorn momentum.
Another by McDonagh in the fourth term, making it five unanswered goals for the Hawks, sealed the win.
But the Swans were unwilling to go out quietly, and with 11 seconds left on the clock McEvoy put boot to ball to get a consolation goal.
"We just weren't able to cope with the constant, relentless pressure they put us under," Sydney coach Scott Gowans said.
"Nobody said that the learning is going to be linear, it's going to have its bumps.
"We're on a journey on a bus and occasionally the bus hits traffic. We hit traffic today."
Hawthorn kick off next round with a clash against 10th-placed Richmond while Sydney take on the winless Western Bulldogs in an attempt to keep their finals campaign alive.
