Hawthorn have dragged themselves off the bottom of the AFL ladder with a last minute defeat of Melbourne on Sunday.

The Hawks have been under fire for a lack of fight in the first six rounds of the season but fought off a last quarter rally from the Demons for a nail biting three point victory.

Hawks Kokatha defender Shaun Burgoyne (pictured) says his team were prepared for the Demons to come hard at them in the final quarter and it was gratifying to get a much needed win.