Geelong blows Hawthorn away with dominant third quarter
It took some time but the Cats finally got going after halftime on Monday. And they showed that reports of their demise have been greatly exaggerated.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
You can finally breathe out Cats fans.
After Geelong copped eight days of questions about its premiership defence, another hour was added for good measure, before the exhale came.
Smashed around the ball for the better part of 14 quarters to start the season, the Cats finally got humming against the old rivals in the third term to pull away from Hawthorn and set up an 82-point win.
It was as if the Easter bunny was late on Easter Monday, and as the Cats laid an egg in the first half, the chocolates came just after the rain.
The heaving downpour just before halftime made the game simple – Hawthorn had owned the clinches to lead clearances 24-10 and contested possessions 70-58 – Geelong had to win the contest for its season to survive.
So that old brigade rolled up their sleeves and silenced the growing doubters as Patrick Dangerfield, Tom Atkins, Cam Guthrie and Mark Blicavs got to work around the ball, with some help from an excellent Max Holmes.
The dominance was stark in the premiership quarter as Geelong simply eviscerated Hawthorn.
The Cats won 59 more disposals, 24 more contested possessions, 10 more clearances, had 22 more inside-50s and kicked 10 goals to nil.
It was simply as dominant as a team can be.
The siffest competition the Cats felt in the second half was Jeremy Cameron running through a boundary umpire mid celebration.
It’s funny how the game can fall into place once the midfield is right.
Cameron kept the Cats afloat in the first half but with proper supply, Tom Hawkins was back to his old self.
Anonymous during the past fortnight, Brad Close and Tyson Stengle came into the game and subbed on for Jed Bews, Ollie Henry had four shots on goal in 30 minutes.
Suddenly this looked like that premiership side again – free flowing, intimidating and sure in defence.
The statement win Geelong fans were desperate for arrived, eventually.
The first half should not be forgotten – Geelong was woeful at times and repeated past issues of not being able to get a handle on the ball – but with a meeting against a lowly West Coast to come on Sunday it might not be too long before the Cats machine is humming again.
If the midfield clicks like it did in that third quarter, the reigning premier will get the chocolates plenty of times this year.
More Coverage
Originally published as Geelong blows Hawthorn away with dominant third quarter
Crows handed dream start, Port kicked off Broadway
Matthew Nicks and the Crows will be desperate for a fast start in 2025 – and the new fixture will help. But Port Adelaide’s draw isn’t as kind. Here’s what it means for both clubs.
Full fixture reveal: When, where every AFL game will be in 2025
The full AFL fixture has been revealed for 2025 — with a host of big changes from previous years. Check out where your club will be playing and when here.
1-18: Every AFL club’s fixture reveal rated
AFL clubs are getting more creative every year when it comes to fixture reveals. We’ve checked out how every club announced their 2025 schedule and ranked them 1-18. Did we get it right?
Showdowns locked in for club-swapping stars
A frantic AFL trade period included a raft of big-names moving to new clubs, and their old fans now know just when they’ll come up against them.
Blues’ early Christmas present as top four draw beckons
Two clubs have been given early Christmas presents to boost their flag credentials, Hawthorn is set to face the prime time lights, and payback for the Saints? JAY CLARK breaks down the fixture.
The 1044 players nominated for next week’s AFL Draft
From the country’s best junior talent to 58 recently-delisted AFL players and a 52-year-old who plays Masters football, see every player available in the 2024 AFL Draft pool.