The former North Ballarat Rebel was stretchered off the ground 18 minutes into the third quarter of the JLT Community Series encounter after suffering a heavy knock to the head in a pack marking contest.

Picken was only introduced into the game after half-time, with the Bulldogs choosing to simulate home and away match conditions by using just four players off the interchange bench despite having eight available.

He had quickly made an impact with seven touches.

"He doesn't know any other way. He's just full on and wants to make a contest," stand-in coach Daniel Giansiracusa said.

"We'll assess him throughout the week so.

“Hopefully he's all okay, but at least he was up and about after it."

Picken’s cameo was part of a Western Bulldogs surge which laid the foundation for the win.

After engaging in a free-running first half shoot-out which had Hawthorn in front by eight points at the main break, Western Bulldogs applied the heat with a five-goal third term to open up a 12-point advantage.

They increased this to 25 points early in the last quarter before Hawthorn rallied for one last time.

The Hawks had their chances, but captain Jarryd Roughead twice hit the post and the game was gone.

Giansiracusa and Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson each expressed satisfaction in aspects of the game, as well as highlighting areas which needed work.

“For both sides there were patches which were good and patches which were a bit ordinary, That’s to be expected in a first hit-out which lacked a bit of polish,” Clarkson said.

He said Hawthorn’s only injury concern was a slight corky for Roughead.

Marcus Bontempelli had a big influence on the game for the Bulldogs with 27 disposals, while recruit Josh Schache was saved for the second half when he shared time between attack and in the ruck – just as another newcomer Jackson Trengove did.

Tom Mitchell was again a ball magnet for Hawthorn with 30 touches.