After five key injuries in a loss last week, the Hawks were wary against a Barellan team coming off its first win.

But they overcame a spirited first quarter from the home side and then swung momentum their way with a five-goal second term, and didn't surrender it.

Coach Matt Hard said there was improvement in their approach compared to last week and they stuck solid after a tight start.

"We had a lot of inside 50s in the first quarter. To their credit, Barellan's pressure was really good and forced a lot of turnovers but as they game went on we cleaned that up," Hard said.

A two-point lead at quarter time was out to four goals at the main break before the Hawks added 19 scoring shots in the second half.

Nineteen behinds wasn't ideal but Hull's haul, ably assisted by Brocke Argus also finding five up forward, had them on course.

Fitzsimmons was the one who got them going out of the middle, racking up the touches, off a strong effort in the ruck by Kyle North-Flanagan.

"Harry had a cracking game," Hard said.

"I was very pleased with his work-rate and his ball-use. He used the ball really well."

Luke Cuthbert and Kade Rowbotham were also strong. Vitally, the Hawks avoided new injuries.

For Barellan, James McCabe kicked four goals while coach Alex Lawder had a good battle with EWK forward Ben Cadzow.

Full-time:

EWK 2.4, 7.10, 11.15, 17.19 (121)

Barellan 2.2, 4.4, 6.7, 10.8 (68)

Goals: (EWK) Nicholas Hull 6, Brocke Argus 5, Benjamin Cadzow 2, Alexander Rogers 1, Ethan Andrews 1, Harry Fitzsimmons 1,Jeremy Piercy 1; (Barellan) James McCabe 4, Sam Foley 2, Timothy Sidebottom 1, Matthew Wells 1, Darcy McDermott 1, Jack Hillman 1.

Best: (EWK) Harry Fitzsimmons, Kyle North-Flanagan, Nicholas Hull, Ethan Andrews, Brocke Argus, Luke Cuthbert; (Barellan) James McCabe, Matthew Irvin, Kabe Stockton, Jack Hillman, Sam Foley, Anthony McDonald.

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