HAWTHORN has snapped a three-game losing streak, pipping Port Adelaide by three points in a dogged AFL clash in Launceston.

The lead swung both ways in a tense final term, but the Hawks' biggest gun stood up on Saturday afternoon when it counted in the 9.10 (64) to 9.7 (61) win.

Port Adelaide kicked back-to-back goals to go ahead with about 10 minutes to play.

But Hawthorn skipper Jarryd Roughead put his side back in front with a crucial major in the 24th minute of the last term.

The Hawks' scrambling defence did the rest.

They had the chance to ice the game but several shots hit the post and ex-Power player Jarman Impey kicked out on the full.

Ball magnet Tom Mitchell played a leading hand, with two goals and a game-high 28 touches.

Shaun Burgoyne was also a standout with 26 possessions, but might have some questions to answer at the tribunal after being placed on report for rough conduct in the first quarter.

Early, it looked as if the Hawks were set for just their second loss at Launceston since 2012. Port Adelaide kicked the first four goals of the match to open a 26-point lead at quarter-time, with Robbie Gray and Jack Watts finding plenty of space inside 50.

But the Hawks hit back with four unanswered goals in the second to level the scores at 33-33 at the main break.

The Hawks didn't hit the lead until early in the third quarter and took a slender seven-point margin into the final term.

Gray, who had four goals in a losing side, kicked the major in the last quarter that put Port Adelaide ahead.

But Roughead stood up, kicking his only goal of the match.

SCOREBOARD
HAWTHORN 1.2 5.3 7.7 9.10 (64)
PORT ADELAIDE 5.2 5.3 6.6 9.7 (61)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Mitchell 2, McEvoy 2, Impey, Burgoyne, Puopolo, Breust, Roughead
Port Adelaide: Gray 4, Watts 3, Westhoff, Dixon

BEST
Hawthorn: Burgoyne, Gunston, Mitchell, Shiels, Sicily
Port Adelaide: Westhoff, Ryder, Gray, Jonas, Motlop

INJURIES
Hawthorn: To come
Port Adelaide: Nil
Reports: Shaun Burgoyne (Haw) for rough conduct against Jared Polec (Port) during the first quarter

Umpires: Gavine, Nicholls, Hosking

Official crowd: 13,007 at University of Tasmania Stadium

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