Hawthorn has earned the chance to defend its AFL crown with a three-point win over Port Adelaide at the MCG.

A six-goal haul from Jarryd Roughead made the difference for Hawthorn as the home side steadied to win 15.7 (97) to 13.16 (94) on Saturday night.

The Power dominated the early exchanges, but terrible kicking for goal cost them dearly.

The visitors could have blown the game open in the first quarter, going inside 50 17 times to just seven for the Hawks.

But the Power kicked just 3.9 to Hawthorn’s 2.3 to lead by just two goals at quarter time.

The defending premiers came out firing in the second term, kicking three straight goals in the first 13 minutes to take a five-point lead.

Goals to Jay Schulz and Jake Neade put Port Adelaide back in front, but the Hawks booted three more goals before half-time to hold the lead by 11 points at the main break.

The Power fans were epic. Still chanting at the end of the game. Much respect. They deserved the win. #AFLHawksPower

— Jill Stark (@jillastark) September 20, 2014

Dear Hawthorn, I love you xx #aflhawkspower

— lehmo (@lehmo23) September 20, 2014

Thanks @HawthornFC & @PAFC – you were totally awesome. #AFLHawksPower

— Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) September 20, 2014

I’m a Hawks supporter, but the troll in me kinda wishes Port were able to close the deal. They played brilliantly. #AFLHawksPower

— Sophie Benjamin (@sophbenj) September 20, 2014

The win puts Hawthorn through to next Saturday’s grand final at the MCG against the Sydney Swans.

But the Hawks have one serious injury concern, with star midfielder Jordan Lewis subbed out at three-quarter time with a knee problem.

Hawks ramp up the pressure in second half squeeze

Port Adelaide has become known as a strong second-half side, but this time the Power found it too tough a task to overtake the Hawks.

An early goal to Robbie Gray gave the Power hope, but the Hawks then raised the pressure substantially, and by the time Roughead kicked his fifth of the night at the 12-minute mark, Hawthorn led by a game-high 22 points.

As the Hawks began to dominate the clearances, Port Adelaide found it harder to get decent delivery to their forwards.

But captain Travis Boak lifted his team with a brilliant spin move on the boundary line along the wing to keep the ball in, before hoisting the ball inside 50 for Angus Monfries to take a diving mark and goal.

Justin Westhoff kicked another a minute later but David Hale answered in time on and then a soccered goal from Roughead in the final minute of the third term gave the Hawks a vital 23-point buffer at the final change.

An early goal to Gray kept Port Adelaide in the contest, but ruckman Matthew Lobbe missed a great chance minutes later.

Isaac Smith punished the Power with a well taken set-shot at the eight-minute mark and Jack Gunston followed with the Hawks’ 15th goal of the game soon afterwards.

But there was one more twist to come, as Monfries grabbed a goal in time on and then a video review awarded a goal to Jared Polec, reversing a decision that his shot had been touched on the line.

Substitute Andrew Moore missed a shot from the boundary with one minute left, and one last attack from Port Adelaide fell short.

Roughead was the standout for the Hawks, while Monfries booted four and Gray three for the Power.