Hawthorn 4.3 8.9 10.10 12.14 (86)
Geelong 1.5 5.7 10.12 13.15 (93)
Goals
Hawthorn: Franklin 2, Breust 2, Savage 2, Lewis, Guerra, Hale, Rioli, Smith, Roughead
Geelong: Hawkins 2, Smedts 2, Podsiadly 2, Duncan 2, Chapman, Varcoe, Selwood, Mackie, Christensen
Best
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Sewell, Birchall, Lewis, Schoenmakers, Rioli
Geelong: Selwood, Chapman, Mackie, Taylor, Smedts, Stokes, Enright
Official crowd: 76,300 at the MCG
The build up to the blockbuster Easter Monday was big and the game delivered as Hawthorn and Geelong played another classic in front of a big crowd at the MCG.
Unfortunately for Hawthorn though, the result was one all too familiar, defeated by the Cats for the 10th straight time.
It was a game of two halves, as the Hawks dominated the opening two quarters and seemingly were en route to a comfortable win as they looked in control through great pressure and execution of skill around the ground.
After the long break, however, it was almost as if the two sides swapped jumpers at half time, as the Cats outpressured and outhunted the Hawks in a blistering third quarter.
While the margin was seven points at the final siren, the Cats were in control in the final term, and the Hawks never looked likely to steal a victory in the dying moments.
Players were fatigued – it was hard enough playing Round 1 but when the game is played at such a high intensity so early in the season, it’s always hard to steal a last-minute victory.
Sam Mitchell led the way for the Hawks with 37 touches, four clearances, three tackles and seven inside 50s, while Joel Selwood was the spark the Cats needed in the second half. He was best on ground with 33 disposals, six tackles and three clearances.
