HAWTHORN 2.2 3.2 9.7 14.10 (94)
GEELONG 3.2 8.3 9.3 11.5 (71)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Hale 3, Roughead 3, Langford 2,Breust, Ceglar, Gunston, Shiels, Sewell, Lewis
Geelong: Hawkins 3, Murdoch 2, Thurlow, Taylor, Motlop, Bartel, Selwood, Duncan
BEST
Hawthorn: Langford, Mitchell, Lewis, Lake, Ceglar, Roughead, Hale
Geelong: Duncan, Guthrie, Stokes, Caddy, Christensen, Enright
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Suckling (ankle)
Geelong: Kersten (left hamstring)
SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Jonathan Simpkin replaced Matthew Suckling at half time
Geelong: Jackson Thurlow replaced Shane Kersten in the first quarter
Official crowd: 72,212 at the MCG
The teams
HAWTHORN
B Brian Lake, Josh Gibson, Matthew Suckling
HB Shaun Burgoyne, Ben Stratton, Grant Birchall
C Bradley Hill, Sam Mitchell, Isaac Smith
HF Luke Hodge, Jarryd Roughead, Jack Gunston
F Paul Puopolo, David Hale, Luke Breust
FOLL Jonathon Ceglar, Jordan Lewis, Liam Shiels
I/C Matt Spangher, Will Langford, Brad Sewell, Jonathan Simpkin
EMG Taylor Duryea, Ryan Schoenmakers, Billy Hartung
GEELONG
B Andrew Mackie, Tom Lonergan, Corey Enright
HB Harry Taylor, Jared Rivers, Cameron Guthrie
C Mathew Stokes, Joel Selwood, James Kelly
HF Steven Motlop, Mark Blicavs, Travis Varcoe
F Jimmy Bartel, Tom Hawkins, Allen Christensen
FOLL Hamish McIntosh, Mitch Duncan, Josh Caddy
I/C Shane Kersten, Jordan Murdoch, Jackson Thurlow, Brad Hartman
EMG Jed Bews, Mitch Brown, Darcy Lang
An exceptional second half from Hawthorn saw Alastair Clarkson’s team turn a 33-point third quarter deficit into a 23-point win over Geelong in Round 22.
The Hawks were outplayed for most of the first half despite trailing by just six points at the first break before the Cats put them to the sword in a brilliant five-goal to one second quarter.
Mitch Duncan wreaked havoc and was best on ground in the first half with 25 disposals and a goal, while Matthew Stokes had 22 to half time.
After a good old-fashioned rev up by Clarkson at the main break, it was a different Hawthorn that emerged in the second half to eventually kick 10 unanswered goals in a brilliant performance.
The Hawks ended up kicking 11 goals to three after half time as midfielder Will Langford emerged as one of the match-winners.
The young Hawk kicked two vital goals in the third quarter, including the one that put the Hawks in front and finished with 23 disposals in a breakout performance.
Jordan Lewis was also outstanding, sparking the Hawks and leading by his actions in the third quarter. He set up a goal then kicked one himself directly after before finishing as one of his side’s best with 25 disposals, four clearances, four tackles and a goal.
David Hale and Jonathon Ceglar controlled the ruck and made an impact inside 50 with four goals between them (three to Hale, one to Ceglar), while Jarryd Roughead also booted three goals.
For the Cats Duncan was best with a game-high 37 disposals and six clearances and Cameron Guthrie also had one of his best games with 33 disposals.
Tom Hawkins booted three goals but was ultimately beaten by Brian Lake who ran off the big Cat to set up counterattacks for the Hawks off half-back. Lake finished with 20 disposals and seven marks, most of which were taken off opposition boot.
What the coaches said
Hawthorn’s Alastair Clarkson: "We weren't pleased with the total package we produced tonight (and) we've got a few things we need to work on.
"We're very pleased with coming from behind, showing some character and digging in when things weren't going our way and finding a way in the second half.
"(But) I don't think that's going to cut it in September if we produce that sort of effort that we did in the first half."
Geelong’s Chris Scott: "It sounds funny to say, but it was a step forward in our preparation. We always went into the game wanting to play well, we certainly didn't put the cue in the rack – not consciously – at half-time after a good performance.
"We'll learn some things from tonight. In that respect, it's kind of 'mission accomplished' a little bit but the competitor in you and in our boys would clearly liked to have performed better after half-time."
