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Christian Petracca and Max Gawn have inspired resurgent Melbourne to smash struggling Hawthorn by 43 points in their AFL clash at Sydney's Giants Stadium.

A Christian Petracca and Max Gawn-inspired midfield drew plaudits from both coaches as Melbourne notched successive wins for the first time in more than a year and increased Hawthorn's woes.

Hawthorn kicked the first goal of Sunday's game at Giants Stadium, but the Dees slotted 12 of the next 15 on their way to a convincing 14.7 (91) to 7.6 (48) victory.

The win lifts Melbourne to 11th place with 3-3, while the Hawks drop to 3-4 after a third successive loss.

The Dees have now won successive games at Giants Stadium, and kicked their highest score of the season for the second straight week.

Petracca was at the heart of Melbourne's attack, racking up 29 touches, 16 contested possessions, five score assists and four clearances.

Gawn tallied 22 possessions, 16 of them contested, as well as 27 hitouts and six contested marks.

Jack Viney and Clayton Oliver also gave the Dees plenty of drive.

Melbourne had 26 more contested possessions and 13 more clearances than the Hawks, with Petracca at times appearing to have the ball on a string.

"There's no doubt Christian is becoming a very good player and he's worked really hard on his game," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said.

"The more pleasing thing for us as a club at the moment is the midfield group gelling together.

"You've got Gawn, Viney, Oliver, Petracca, (Angus) Brayshaw, (James) Harmes went through there today and (Jake) Melksham ... so we're starting to to get some real depth through our midfield.

"What they are doing is sharing the load incredibly well but that doesn't shy away from the fact that Christian has been outstanding for this whole season so far."

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said his side were down on confidence and conceded they were well beaten in the contest areas.

"Full credit to the Melbourne side, they are as tough and hard an opponent in the midfield that we have played this year and if they continue to play like that they are going to be really hard to beat,"' he said.

"We'll just have to keep trying to find a way with our method, and also with our personnel, to take a step forward."

For Melbourne Sam Weidman kicked three goals and provided a good aerial target and there were two majors each to Kysaiah Pickett, Mitch Hannan and Bayley Fritsch.

Hawthorn looked good early in the first and third quarters but Clarkson noted Melbourne kicked eight goals to one across the latter stages of the four quarters.

Melbourne's pressure forced the Hawks into errors and they found it difficult to go forward, tallying just 11 inside-50s by halftime.

Hawthorn, who scored fewer than 50 points for the third straight game, lost forward Tim O'Brien with an ankle injury in the first quarter.

Jack Gunston kicked three goals for the Hawks, while Clarkson was cheered by the form of youngsters Will Day and Josh Morris.