Exciting Roos’ youngster Will Robinson kicked three goals in the opening nine minutes as the visitors jumped to a 10-point buffer, but once Rovers gained the lead they never relented, cruising to a 21.14 (140) to 8.11 (59) win.

“We got back to some of our ball movement that we’ve been trying to do in the first three rounds,” Hawks’ co-coach Ross Hill said.

“We’re probably just back playing to our strengths, so that was the pleasing part of it.”

It capped a winning return for captain Shane Gaston in his first game for eight months since a shoulder reconstruction.

“It’s great, but it’s not about being an individual on a day like today, 150 games, but every game means a lot when you pull the Rovers’ jersey on,” he said.

Wilson was dynamite for the Hawks, his pace running the Roos’ ragged, while he could have hit double figures but for inaccuracy in the final quarter.

“My previous highest was four last year,” he said.

“I was just trying to get on the end of a couple and just stole a few off a couple of team-mates there, but hopefully they’re not too angry with me.”

His team-mates will only be delighted if he continues to reproduce that sizzling form as the Hawks now look to work their way up the ladder.

“I think we’re a lot better team than people give us credit for when we play well,” Gaston said.

Gaston played well in his return, kicking two goals, including a booming effort from around 50 metres early in the second quarter, while former Carlton player Sean O’Keeffe was one of the cleanest users of the ball in a match which, as expected, never reached any heights.

The Roos have now lost 24 successive matches, and it’s hard to see a win this season.

Boom recruit James Lawton will certainly add goals and confidence when he returns late next month, but a drubbing against the second-bottom side doesn’t bode well.

“Just a level of effort over the course was sub-standard, which makes you non-competitive and eats away at the confidence,” Roos’ coach Terry Burgess said.

The Roos have unearthed a potential gun though in Robinson.

His marking in the opening term was outstanding although, interestingly, he attempted a number of one-hand marks above his head after that.

But there’s no mistaking talent and he’s been named in the interleague squad.

“Apart from maybe Will Robinson up forward, we didn’t have too many winners on the day either,” Burgess said.