Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin again starred with six goals as his side came back from 38 points down to maintain their unbeaten start to the AFL season against Port Adelaide at Launceston's Aurora Stadium.

The Hawks won 17.15 (117) to 15.12 (102), hitting the lead for the first time late in the third quarter, when Franklin kicked his sixth goal.

The Power had earlier looked set to continue their strong record against the Hawks, having won eight of their previous nine encounters before Saturday, including at the same ground late last season.

They kicked four goals to none inside the first 10 minutes.

Midfielder Shaun Burgoyne was devastating, brother Peter was mopping everything up in defence and setting up attacks and Danyle Pearce provided plenty of dash and precision use of the ball.

By the first break, the Power led 7.4 to 2.2, with Port captain Warren Tredrea having three goals on the board and Franklin the only two majors for the Hawks.

When Daniel Motlop kicked the first goal of the second term, capping a passage of play set up by Peter Burgoyne in defence, the Power was 38 points in front.

Hawthorn were also two players down, with captain Sam Mitchell stretchered off in the first term, after copping a high bump from Shaun Burgoyne while his head was over the ball, while Brent Guerra injured his hamstring early in the second quarter.

But it did not stop the Hawks from steadily working their way back into the game, as they tightened up considerably in defence and lifted their workrate through the midfield to stifle the Power's movement.

Tough midfielder Brad Sewell, who was soundly beaten by Shaun Burgoyne early, lifted his game enormously, driving his side in the packs as well as kicking two goals for the second quarter.

Mitchell returned to the ground midway through the quarter and showed no signs of injury, racking up touches, with Jordan Lewis also giving the Hawks a lift with plenty of midfield work.

The Hawks were within 17 points at the long break and quickly cut it to 11 with a major to Jarryd Roughead early in the third term.

The Power gained some breathing space with goals to Motlop and Justin Westhoff, both resulting from poor kicks from Hawthorn defender Clinton Young, who had a terrible day and was benched soon after.

Motlop's goal was a gem, outmarking Campbell Brown from Young's kickout, then weaving around Brown on the mark and slotting truly from just inside 50m on the boundary line.

But it did not stop the Hawks' momentum for long, as they added six of the last seven goals to end the quarter, a fine Franklin snap putting them in front before Roughead marked in the goalsquare to send them to the last change with a seven-point lead.

Hawthorn wasted the chance to seal the game early in the last term, kicking 1.5 in the first 14 minutes despite dominating play, but were never really threatened.

Shaun Burgoyne is likely to come under review for his first quarter bump on Mitchell, while Peter Burgoyne could also be in trouble for crashing heavily into Ben McGlynn after the Hawk marked at half-forward in the third term.

McGlynn might also have a nervous wait, after a high bump on Kane Cornes.