HAWTHORN has proved it is ready to return to the finals, brushing aside the much-hyped Geelong midfield of Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood and Gary Ablett to record a one-point win in a thrilling clash at the MCG.
Tom Mitchell, who started slowly when matched up against Mark Blicavs, found his way into the game, finishing with 40 possessions and two goals in the 17.16 (118) to 18.9 (117) win.
The only sour point for the Hawks, was losing veteran Shaun Burgoyne to a low-grade hamstring strain late in the first quarter.
Ablett finished as Geelong's leading possession winner and at times, his partnership with Dangerfield ad Selwood looked unstoppable.
GEELONG 5.1 8.2 12.7 18.9 (117)
HAWTHORN 5.3 11.8 14.13 17.16 (118)
GOALS
Geelong: Menzel 4, Stanley 2, Dangerfield 2, Parsons 2, Selwood, Ablett, Kelly, Fogarty, Gregson, Hawkins, Menegola, Parfitt
Hawthorn: Henderson 2, Smith 2, Impey 2, Gunston 2, Mitchell 2, Roughead 2, O'Meara, Shiels, Puopolo, McEvoy, Howe
BEST
Geelong: Ablett, Selwood, Dangerfield, Kelly, Menzel, Tuohy
Hawthorn: Mitchell, McEvoy, Impey, Smith, O'Meara, Henderson, Brand
INJURIES
Geelong: Duncan (hamstring tightness) replaced in selected side by Cockatoo, Ratugolea (hip flexor) replaced in selected side by O'Connor, Henry (concussion)
Hawthorn: Frawley (foot sprain) replaced in selection side by Brand, Burgoyne (left hamstring)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: O'Gorman, Chamberlain, Pannell
Official crowd: 73,189 at the MCG
