Geelong has recovered from its mid-season slump, dismantling Hawthorn by 51 points to bring the Hawks’ five-match winning streak to an end.
In their first game at GMHBA Stadium in front of a crowd since 2006, Hawthorn were bullied by the hungry Cats as the hosts cruised to a 16.14 (110) to 9.5 (59) win on Saturday.
Key Hawthorn forward Mitch Lewis, who was playing his first game since round three, was hurt in the last quarter after a heavy collision with Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij.
Lewis left the field with blood streaming from his head and looked to be holding his knee in concerning scenes to cap off a tough match for the Hawks.
Opening with five successive behinds – three of them to Jeremy Cameron – Geelong never gave up their lead and won every quarter.
Star forward Cameron returned to close to his best form, kicking 4.4 and having a game-high 13 score involvements.
Small Cats forward Brad Close matched Cameron’s efforts with four goals.
It was a seriously even performance from the Cats, who overwhelmed a Hawthorn defence missing captain James Sicily with 63 to 39 inside-50s.
Despite losing six of seven games before beating Essendon by 45 points at the MCG last Saturday, the Cats remain well in the hunt to secure a top-four finish.
Celebrating his 200th game, forward Gary Rohan produced an electric cameo with two goals in as many minutes late in the first term.
Premiership fullback Sam De Koning enjoyed his best game since being switched into the ruck three weeks ago, kicking two goals – doubling his career tally – by early in the second quarter and outworking Hawthorn’s Lloyd Meek.
Hawthorn had put themselves on the verge of entering the top eight after winning seven of their last eight before the trip to Geelong.
But without Sicily (shoulder), dynamic forward Jack Ginnivan (leg) and young tall Calsher Dear (soreness), the Hawks played more like they did early in the season when they lost the first five games.
Geelong will next face wounded reigning premiers Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night, while the Hawks head to Launceston for an intriguing clash with Fremantle on Saturday.
(C) AAP 2024
