Geelong   5.2    6.8     6.15    11.16 (82)                
Hawthorn   2.4    3.8    4.11    10.12 (72)    

Goals: Geelong: Murdoch 3, T Hunt, Motlop, Blicavs, Podsiadly, Kelly, Selwood, Stringer, Caddy
Hawthorn: Roughead 2, Hale 2, Breust, Franklin, Puopolo, Gunston, Simpkin, Savage

Best: Geelong: Selwood, Duncan, Kelly, Murdoch, Caddy, Lonergan, Mackie
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Stratton, Roughead, Gunston, Duryea

Hawthorn was beaten by Geelong for the 11^th straight time the last time the two teams met, in Round 15 at the MCG.

Geelong led at every change, and set up their victory in the first and final quarters by booting five goals in each before running out 10-point victors.

Many believed the game was over when Jordan Murdoch goaled for Geelong at the 9-minute mark of the final term, the last of three quick-fire Cats goals in the opening minutes of the final quarter – but as is often the case between Hawthorn and Geelong, there was to be another chapter.

The Hawks kicked the next five goals in a 9-minute period to get within three points, only to have the Cats kick two steadying goals to win the game.

It was testament to Hawthorn’s never say die attitude, and more importantly, their ability to get itself back into the game in a short space of time.

It would have been pleasing for Coach Alastair Clarkson, but ultimately a disappointing end to yet another loss to Geelong.

In many ways, Geelong strangled Hawthorn for the first three quarters, with their pressure immense, forcing the Hawks to kick quickly under pressure and “bomb” the ball into its forward 50.

Hawthorn’s kicking efficiency was at a season low 49.7 per cent in the opening quarter, and improved only by 0.2 per cent in the second to 48.1 – their overall disposal efficiency was 65.1 in the first and 63.6 in the second.

Hawthorn’s efficiency improved in the third quarter to 54.4 per cent by foot and 68 per cent overall, but the Cats were still using the ball much better and should have been further in front both at half time and three-quarter time, but poor accuracy hurt them.

As Hawthorn struggled and forced to kick long under pressure, Geelong found short targets by foot and slowly moved the ball up the ground whenever its space was shut down.

Geelong’s efficiency by foot was at 70.1 per cent at quarter time, 76 at half time and 69.5 at three-quarter time.

At three-quarter time, the Cats had 34 more effective kicks (121-87).

Sam Mitchell was Hawthorn’s best with 36 disposals, four clearances four tackles, six inside 50s and four rebound 50s despite being closely tagged by Geelong’s Taylor Hunt.

David Hale was good as a second ruckman who pushed forward, kicking two goals from 19 touches. He also had 20 hit outs.

Brian Lake and Josh Gibson were again good in defence, with the pair conceding just one goal to their direct opponents Tom Hawkins (no goals) and James Podsiadly (one).

Geelong were again led by Captain Joel Selwood who had 34 disposals (19 contested), seven tackles, eight clearances and kicked a goal.

The defenders – Tom Lonergan and Harry Taylor were excellent on Jarryd Roughead and Lance Franklin, while Corey Enright and Andrew Mackie were also excellent both as defenders and rebounders off half back.

They both had 22 touches, took nine and eight marks respectively and had seven and four rebound 50s.

From nowhere, Jordan Murdoch was the match-winner with three final quarter goals to go along with his 17 disposals.

What the coaches said

Hawthorn’s Alastair Clarkson: "We didn't play anywhere near as well as what we can, and Geelong played really good footy, particularly early on.

"They had the game on their terms, playing the game that they wanted to play.

"Their defence was superb, they rebounded the ball really well in the first quarter in particular, controlled the ball by hand and foot, and we were stuck halfway between playing wet weather and dry weather footy.

"We didn't take the game on enough, didn't search for the options that were available to us.”

Geelong’s Chris Scott: “We've played our best games against the best teams this year, which is a good sign.

"It shows us, in slippery conditions like tonight, we can mix it with good teams."