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Round 2: Geelong v Hawthorn
Geelong 4.1 7.3 10.7 14.8 (92)
Hawthorn 3.4 8.6 13.7 13.12 (90)   
                   
Goals: Geelong: Podsiadly 5, Hawkins 3, Johnson 3, Bartel 2, Smedts.
Hawthorn: Lewis 3, Franklin 2, Rioli 2, Whitecross 2, Hale, Mitchell, Roughead, Suckling.

Best: Geelong: Hawkins, Bartel, Selwood, Podsiadly, Corey, Christensen, Enright.
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Rioli, Whitecross, Lewis, Franklin, Burgoyne.

Crowd: 69,231 at MCG

The Hawks suffered their eighth straight loss to the Cats on Monday in a match that had the crowd on the edge of their seats until the very last second.

Despite the Hawks leading most key performance indicators, including contested possession (160-150), clearances (39-38), tackles (83-70) and inside 50s (55-53), it was the efficiency of the Cats going forward that was the difference. The Hawks squandered numerous opportunities in front of goal in the final term, while the Cats capitalised on their chance to hit the scoreboard, outscoring the Hawks in the last quarter by 20 points.

The output of the Cats big men, James Podsiadly and Tom Hawkins proved the difference, managing 10 more disposals than Hawks duo Lance Franklin and David Hale, and contributing eight of the Cats 14 goals (Podsiadly 5, Hawkins 3), compared to three goals from Franklin (2) and Hale (1).

The Hawks had the ascendency in the middle in the opening term, as Sam Mitchell had a standout 11 possessions and was the key to the Hawks' midfield dominance. Inaccurate kicking, however, cost the Hawks a first quarter lead as the Cats,  efficient in front of goal, capitalised on their opportunities.

A 10-minute purple patch eroded the Cats' lead and enabled the Hawks to take a nine-point advantage into the half time break. Hawthorn midfielders, led by Mitchell (10 possessions, one goal) and Jordan Lewis (nine possessions, two goals) were able to get their hands on the ball first, as winning clearances became pivotal.

The match was more congested in the second term, with no player able to find time and space. The Hawks asserted their authority by dominating the clearances, 13-9 and contested possessions 45-31 in the second. It was this endeavour that enabled the Hawksto push forward and put the Cats defence under pressure.

The Hawks were able to build an 18-point lead heading into the final change, on the back of 27 tackles to 12, and an 11 disposal effort from dashing defender, Grant Birchall. It was Taylor Hunt’s move onto Sam Mitchell, however, that proved a match-winner, as he managed only nine possessions after half time, and his impact around the stoppages curtailed (Mitchell had 21 disposals in the first half).

Geelong forward duo Podsiadly and Hawkins were always going to present a tough task for the Hawks defence, and it proved that way in the final term as the pair asserted their authority. Podsiadly was influential throughout the first three quarters, but his last quarter efforts, including booting the match-winner capped off a dominant display. His influence allowed the Cats to hit the scoreboard and force the Hawks into several mistakes. He booted five goals and managed 15 possessions at 80 per cent efficiency. Hawkins had 22 possessions, three goals and six contested marks as his size and ability to read the ball in the air enabled gave the Cats another standout target going forward.

What Alastair Clarkson said: “We had our chances, but we just didn’t take them. We won nearly every measurement except the most important one…We’re a good side, but we’re not in the same bracket as those guys (Geelong). We’ve got to find a way to be a little bit stronger and tougher in the contest for a longer period of time.”

What Brad Sewell said: “At times the momentum shifts throughout the game, and it has been a consistent theme for us for the last eight times we’ve played them. In the last quarter, when the game is on the line the momentum was going their way.”