In a tweet

 

The Rundown

While Geelong and Hawthorn have built a reputation for their Easter Monday clashes becoming epic duels, this Round 4 clash was anything but a classic. 

What transpired was ugly viewing for Hawks fans, as the opening month of the season had officially failed to bring about a win. 

The Cats led the game all day and continued their unbeaten start to the season. 

Any hope that the Hawks had at the final change, trailing by 34 points, was quickly dismantled by a Cats side that ran rampant in the last term as they piled on 11 goals straight to finish 86-point victors.

Read: Bupa recovery report Round 17 

The Star

Despite the star-power of Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood being on show once again against the Hawks, it was the younger nucleus for the Cats that truly stood out in Round 4.

The trio of Steven Motlop, Mitch Duncan and Sam Menegola combined for a total of 96 possessions, 17 tackles and six goals as the Cats proved to have too many answers for a besieged Hawthorn midfield.

 

The Moment

Trailing at half-time by four goals after a poor first half, the Hawks were somewhat lucky that the score-line wasn’t much worse.

The Cats had been dominant to start the game, doubling the Hawks’ scoring shots and limiting Hawthorn to a goalless second quarter, but their inaccuracy had cost them.

The Hawks came out in the third quarter and battled manfully, wrenching the margin back to two straight kicks.

But the moment came toward the end of the third term, when young Cat James Parsons, playing in his second game, kicked the first goal of his career and suddenly the margin was back to 34 points before the final change. 

Despite the Hawks’ best efforts, all hope seemed to be lost from there on.  

 

The Coach

"We know these guys have got the quality and have been able to produce good football, but, right at the present time, the cohesion among our group is nowhere near as strong as it should be."- Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson.

Read: Footy flashbacks Round 17

 

HAWTHORN      2.0   2.6    4.10   6.12   (48)                  
GEELONG          2.7   5.12      9.14   20.14   (134)          

GOALS
Hawthorn: Gunston 2, Sicily 2, Puopolo, Smith
Geelong: Hawkins 4, Motlop 3, Menzel 3, Duncan 2, Parsons 2, Cockatoo, Henderson, Stewart, Murdoch, Thurlow, Menegola

BEST 
Hawthorn: Sicily, Hodge, Mitchell, Smith, Brand
Geelong: Duncan, Henderson, Selwood, Motlop, Menegola, Menzel

INJURIES 
Hawthorn: Gibson (cut head)
Geelong: Ruggles (concussion), Dangerfield (corked hip)

Reports: Menegola for rough conduct on Hodge. Parsons for rough conduct on Hodge.

Umpires: Donlon, Stephens, Chamberlain

Official crowd: 62,360 at the MCG