Hawthorn and Geelong produce another epic clash, with the Hawks winning by 11-points

WE know the names and we know their star power. But after another disappointing performance, can we really trust Geelong? GILBERT GARDINER looks at another epic between the Cats and Hawks.

It was tough to get an easy kick at the MCG. Picture: Michael Klein

WE knew, just knew, it would be an epic.

Even with Hawthorn well ahead on the scoreboard.

We just knew.

Geelong just brings out the best in the Hawks.

And visa versa.

They had their chances, the Cats.

GAME RECAP: HOW HAWKS, CATS PLAYED OUT

STAT RECAP: WHO STOOD UP IN CRUNCH MATCH?

After losing the early territory battle at the MCG the Hawks feasted on basic Geelong skill errors and a distinct lack of horsepower up forward outside of Tom Hawkins.

Therein lies the problem for Cats coach Chris Scott.

Too many chiefs in and around the ball-winning areas and only the one avenue to goal.

Patrick Dangerfield threatened to blow the contest apart, posting 20 disposals in the first half alone, including 13 contested possessions.

Hawthorn made the most of its chances against the Cats. Picture: Michael Klein

Gary Ablett chipped in with 15 disposals in the same period, one more than Joel Selwood (six), Tim Kelly (five) and Mitch Duncan (three) combined.

Losing Rhys Stanley (calf) in the second quarter only compounded Geelong’s woes as boa constrictor-like Hawthorn squeezed and strangled the Cats.

Is Geelong a premiership calibre team?

Serious question.

Can it be trusted?

Miscued kicks and bungled marks isn’t usually the domain of serious contenders.

That last quarter was something else, Ablett finishing with three goals while Kelly sprung to life in red time.

But the Cats paid for clumsy errors and all of a sudden the premiership dream punctured.

They lacked urgency and spirit for much of the day, bar Dangerfield, especially his rock star midfield lieutenants, whom a frustrated former Geelong great Billy Brownless accused of being “lazy” on Triple M.

Geelong’s star-studded midfield — bar Dangerfield — was completely outplayed and outworked by the Hawks, who feasted on the mantra of many hands make light work with Tom Mitchell well held.

“We played great passages of footy when we had to rather than really starting that way,” Dangerfield, who brushed off a corked thigh in the second half, said.

Hawthorn players celebrate a goal against Geelong. Picture: AAP Images

“We weren’t great around the ball, our efficiency wasn’t that good, we dropped marks in critical areas and the same with turnovers, so when you turn the ball over against Hawthorn in areas that you have potential to score, they’re so good at sling-shotting and maintaining possession that they turn your scoring opportunities into scoring opportunities for them, so effectively it can be a 12-point turnaround in play.”

James Worpel stepped up again and inspired a crucial goal after body-lining Joel Selwood in the third term.

Liam Shiels called the shots around stoppages, while the oldest player on the ground, Shaun Burgoyne, led all-comers with a career-best 13 tackles.

The Hawks had lost four of their past five against Geelong before this 11-point thriller in front of a crowd of 59,529.

Acting captain Isaac Smith sparked the onslaught with two clutch goals and 12 possessions in the second quarter and stymied a late surge with an intercept mark inside the Toyota logo.

Luke Breust and Jack Gunston slotted important goals to help the Hawks cement their place inside the top four.

With so much big game experience and premiership mastermind Alastair Clarkson at the helm, who wants to face this lot in a final?

HAWTHORN 0.4 5.8 9.10 10.11 (71)

GEELONG 2.4 2.6 5.8 8.12 (60)

BEST

Hawks: Smith, O’Meara, Burgoyne, Worpel, Mitchell

Cats: Dangerfield, Ablett, Menegola, Blicavs, Hawkins

GOALS

Hawks: Smith 2, Gunston 2, Breust 2, Ceglar, Schoenmakers, Morrison, O’Meara.

Cats: Ablett 3, Narkle, Hawkins, Henry, Menzel, Kelly

INJURIES

Hawks: Roughead (ankle) replaced by Pittonet

Cats: Stanley (calf)

UMPIRES

Stevic, Harris, Ryan

CROWD

59,529 at the MCG

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Originally published as Hawthorn and Geelong produce another epic clash, with the Hawks winning by 11-points