Hawthorn beat North Melbourne in Sam Mitchell’s first game as coach

Hawthorn’s post-Alastair Clarkson era is off to a winning start with the Hawks surging past North Melbourne by 20 points in an error-riddled AFL contest at the MCG.

In a battle between teams expected to struggle in 2022, the Hawks reeled in a 22-point deficit on Sunday to give new boss Sam Mitchell an ideal start to his head coaching career.

Despite being outclassed in the midfield, Hawthorn were able to gain a serious advantage up forward in the round-one match.

Hawks forward Mitch Lewis had arguably the best outing of his 37-game career, booting three vital goals as the Hawks prevailed 11.12 (78) to 8.10 (58).

Finn Maginness (right) marks in front of Aaron Hall. A third-generation Hawk, he was swamped by his ecstatic teammates when he scored his first AFL goal

Nick Larkey (left) and Denver Grainger-Barras compete for the ball during Hawthorn’s 20-point victory at the MCG

Lewis brought down some big contested marks and converted his set shots to give Hawthorn faithful hope he can be the power forward the club has been crying out for since their golden era in the early 2010s.

North were already under-sized down back after the departure of Robbie Tarrant during the off-season but things became dire when key defender Ben McKay was subbed out of the game with concussion in the first term.

Kangaroos captain Jack Ziebell was caught out having to play on Lewis and fellow key Hawks forward Jack Gunston (three goals), who made an encouraging return after his 2021 season was ruined by back issues.

Sam Mitchell’s firsts coaching debut ended with a win – but plenty of doubts remain about his Hawks after the error-riddled effort against last year’s wooden spooners

Mitchell – seen hugging Changkuoth Jiath after fulltime – was a controversial choice to replace four-time premiership-winning coaching legend Alastair Clarkson

The Hawks also had to use their medical sub, bringing on wingman Tom Phillips for Max Lynch after the ruckman suffered a head knock in the second quarter.

North’s hyped No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis showed promise on debut, highlighted by kicking an exciting goal during the second term when all Kangaroos players ran to congratulate him.

Chad Wingard, who was allowed to wear long sleeves for the first time in his four years at Hawthorn, made up for a quiet first three quarters to step up in the final term with two crucial goals.

Hawthorn will hit the road next weekend to face a wounded Port Adelaide, while the Kangaroos will host West Coast at Marvel Stadium in round-two.