The game's oldest player - 37-year-old Brad Murray - revelled in the heavy conditions, while ruckman Tom McDonagh, coach Jake Sharp and Nathan Laracy were also superb in the 9.6 (60) to 5.12 (42) away win.

"They're quite a small and nippy team and we wanted to get the balance right to deal with the Stones (Dylan Stone), the Booths (Stuart Booth) and the Thompsons (Charlie Thompson), but I felt with the forecast (of rain) we needed the bigger bodies in there to eventually try and get the contested ball our way and I think that paid off in the end," Sharp said.

"We were able to wear them down a little bit and particularly in the second quarter we spent a lot of time in our forward half due to our stoppage work."

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Rovers held a one-point break after the first half, which was played in driving rain and wind at times, but the Saints then kicked five goals to one as the conditions improved.

"Having Brad Murray and 'Sharpy' out there, they've played a lot of footy and (Nathan) Laracy has played a really high level, they played the conditions well and they're a really strong side," Hawks' coach Daryn Cresswell said.

Rovers will also rue poor discipline in the first quarter as Myrtleford's only goals resulted from 50m penalties.

"We gave away (four) 50s, I will be having a real close look at it because you've got to be sure when you're giving away 50m penalties," Cresswell said.

The Saints had just the one chance by the 19-minute mark of the first term when Raven Jolliffe slung Sharp to the ground, incurring the first 50m, and when a Rovers' player then attempted to stop him running past, the Saints' mentor was taken to the goal square.

The visitors led for only 30 seconds in the first half after a freakish Tom Ellard goal from 45m on the boundary in the rain.

It was even at three-quarter time before the Saints rattled on four goals to one in the final stanza.

In just his third game back after a 22-month retirement, Murray racked up 26 disposals, including nine in the second quarter when he was seemingly everywhere.

Sharp posted 29, including a one-hand mark.

Ruckman Ed Dayman, small defender Will Nolan and on-baller Sam Carpenter were the Hawks' best.