After Hawthorn’s 36-point win over Geelong at the MCG on Saturday night, hawthornfc.com.au takes a look at the five main points to take out of the game.

1. Taking advantage of a Geelong weakness
The Hawks overran the Cats in the second half, taking advantage of a drop off in second half performance within Chris Scott’s team evident for most of the year.

Statistically, the Cats have been poor in the second half for most of the season having inflicted most of their damage in the first two quarters.

Ranked first for first quarters won and second for second quarters, the Cats slump to 16^th for third quarters won and eighth for last quarters, areas in which they were exposed on Friday night.

The Hawks booted nine goals to four in the second half on Friday night to run away with victory after scores were level at half time.

Alastair Clarkson and his team would have learned from the Round 22 avalanche of goals, where the Hawks booted 10 unanswered against the Cats to turn a 33-point deficit into a 23-point win.

2. Hawks up pressure for finals
Hawthorn hit Geelong head on with enormous pressure on Friday night, recording one of their highest tackle counts of the year with 81.

It was an interesting approach from the Hawks, who haven’t been one of the leagues high tackling teams this year, in fact were ranked 18^th overall for average tackles per game (61.1) across the home and away rounds.

The Hawks out-tackled Geelong 81-59, who were ranked third in the competition (70.8) heading into the game.

3. Lake proves his worth
If there was ever any doubt about Brian Lake, they were dispelled on Friday night.

Lake plays some of his best footy in big games, and particularly against big forwards like Tom Hawkins.

In Round 22 he restricted him to three goals while picking up 20 disposals himself and this time he well and truly won the battle.

Hawkins has little impact on Friday night, managing just seven disposals, two marks and one goal.

Lake’s effort was monumental, particularly in the first half when the Cats played their best footy and especially given the Cats had a total of 52 forward 50 entries for the game.

4. Mitchell saving his best for last
36 disposals, six clearances and four goal assists, you get the feeling Sam Mitchell has saved his best footy for the finals.

The gun Hawk has been good since returning from a serious hamstring injury but he upped his level of performance on Friday night to finish as one of the best on ground.

The stats speak for themselves, dominant around the stoppages but it is his ability to create with ball in hand that hurts his opposition.

Four direct goal assists is a huge number.

Mitchell could be the ace in the pack for the Hawks this September.

5. The importance of the week off
History shows the teams that earn the week off in finals usually advance further and that’s been true of Hawthorn in the last two seasons.

The Hawks earned the rest in 2012 and 2013, so they’ll be well versed in how to handle the break heading into a Saturday Preliminary Final against either Fremantle or Port Adelaide.

It’s a chance for the players to recover well from what was a bruising and tough encounter against the Cats and overcome any lingering niggles that might be hanging around.

Expect to see a sharp and well-rested Hawthorn in the Preliminary Final.

Unlucky not to get a mention: Bradley Hill. How good was he across the night? A team-high 18 disposals to half time, Hill was a running machine on Friday night who time and time again sliced the Geelong defence apart. He finished with 27 disposals and five inside 50s to probably be the most damaging player on the ground. He is a big game player.