A second-quarter masterclass from Hawthorn veteran Jess Duffin has inspired the Hawks to a second thrilling come-from-behind AFLW victory in as many weeks.

Hawthorn looked home and hosed against West Coast when Irishwoman Aine McDonagh kicked her first career goal midway through the final term on Friday night to put the hosts up by eight points.

But a magnificent Aimee Schmidt set shot from the boundary line shortly after got the Eagles back within two.

It ensured a tense finish but the Hawks hung on to win 6.8 (44) to 6.5 (41).

Hawthorn slipped 18 points behind in the first quarter but, just as they did against Sydney last week when they trailed by four goals, fought back admirably.

And it was the inspired decision to move Duffin up forward in the second term which proved the difference.

She had not kicked a goal for more than three years, but she booted three of her team's four majors for the period to put them up by eight points at the main break. And from there Hawthorn were able to keep the Eagles at bay.

"I love Jess Duffin, what a great player. Was it coaching genius? Or is Jess Duffin just great?," Hawthorn coach Bec Goddard said.

Goddard also praised her team's ability to deal with the strong breeze throughout the game.

"The team that came in with a plan for with the wind and without the wind, the team that did that the best was always going to win the game," she said.

West Coast coach Michael Prior described the result as "really disappointing" and was left frustrated by the standard of umpiring.

"(It's) really difficult when you come in at three-quarter time and it's 19-6 free kicks against, we just need to get a few more," he said.

"There was a memo sent out during week about sling tackles, and then we don't pay them, so we need to look at that."

But Prior conceded his players only had themselves to blame.

"That second quarter, the damage was done. A couple of undisciplined free kicks where they (Hawthorn) were able to capitalise hurt us as well," he said.

After losing their first four games, the Hawks have now won back-to-back matches and are just one win outside the top eight.

Victory was soured, though, by the report of key forward Tegan Cunningham for a late bump on West Coast's Charlotte Thomas.

Duffin had 12 disposals to go with her three majors. Aileen Gilroy also played a key role for the Hawks with 15 touches (10 contested) and 10 tackles, as did captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd with 14 disposals, six tackles and a goal.

Lucas-Rodd's opposite number Emma Swanson was outstanding for the Eagles with 28 touches (14 contested), seven clearances and a goal.

After Duffin single-handedly turned the tide in the second term - the Hawks registered all 15 of the quarter's inside-50s - the momentum shifted back West Coast's way in the third, and a clever Jaide Britton goal levelled the scores.

But a couple of missed set shots from Swanson and Kate Bartlett prevented them from wresting back the lead.