Hawthorn star Sam Mitchell has apologised for taunting Essendon players over the ongoing supplements scandal.

Vision emerged of Mitchell pretending to inject himself as the teams headed for the three-quarter time huddles during his side’s victory over the Bombers at the MCG on Saturday.

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He appeared to yell something about ‘jabs’ in the direction of Essendon players.

Later, in an interview with Fox Footy, Mitchell expressed remorse for the jab jibe.

“It’s probably not a good look for the game. I shouldn’t have done it. It won’t happen again,” Mitchell said.

“It’s probably inappropriate. It’s not in good taste. It’s not something that you want to see. I’ve got my kids here at the game watching and it’s not something that you want people seeing and talking about.

Mitchell said his opponents didn’t raise the issue post match.

“I just shook hands at the end of the game. We just talked about the game. We didn’t make any mention of it. I don’t think they thought it was an issue,” he said.

“Everyone’s sitting at home watching it on telly. The media pick it up – that’s their job. They’re going to watch it, look at it and talk about it.

Essendon coach James Hird, meanwhile, was angered by the incident.

“If he’s apologised for it, then we let it go,” Hird said.

“But if it’s something that’s still out there then it’s naive and idiotic for someone to do that.

“Its disappointing for our playing group to see that.”

Hird pointed the finger at the media for its coverage of the supplements saga, suggesting it played a role in Mitchell’s actions.

“Maybe it’s not Sam’s issue, it’s all the propaganda, but I would hope that he would apologise to our player and we’d move on,” he said.

“All the media propaganda about what happened at our football club over a two- or three-year period certainly damaged a lot of our people and our players.”

The incident overshadowed Hawthorn’s 38-point win.

The Bombers were well in the contest until half-time, but the Hawks kicked away to record a 16.18 (114) to 11.10 (76) win.

Essendon brought strong effort early against their traditional rivals, shutting down the Hawks trademark fast ball movement.

After half-time the Hawks were able to break the disciplined Bombers down, kicking clear through Paul Puopolo (4.1) and Jack Gunston (3.4).

The win wasn’t without a cost.

James Frawley dislocated his shoulder shortly after quarter-time in his second serious injury this season against the Bombers.

But led by Liam Shiels and Mitchell – and with Josh Gibson a standout in defence – the Hawks regained bragging rights over their arch-rivals after losing earlier in the year.

The Hawks’ final margin was built entirely off their second-half domination.

Jackson Merrett and Shaun McKernan surged Essendon to an early lead which would have been greater if not for inaccuracy.

In a first-quarter slog, Jobe Watson and Joe Daniher both hit the post, allowing Hawthorn back into the contest.

The Hawks were reduced to opportunistic goals by Puopolo and Gunston.

Despite dominating the hit-outs, Hawthorn failed to have a centre clearance in the first half.

Gunston’s sharpshooting allowed the Hawks to sneak a one-point half-time lead but it felt like Essendon’s half.

Then it all changed.

Hawthorn’s midfield changed gears to win the contested ball and clearances, repeatedly laying siege to the Bombers goal.

A pair of high tackles allowed Puopolo to kick two goals from either pocket, with the tiny forward capping a six-goal Hawks term with a fine long-range set shot.

After ceding ownership of the corridor during the first half, the Hawks seemed to push forward with ease.

The contest was over when Luke Breust and Will Langford kicked goals inside the final term’s first three minutes.

Key forward Jarryd Roughead, kept goalless in his last seven quarters, looked a relieved man to break his streak late in the match, condemning the Bombers to a fourth-straight loss.

– with AAP