THREE final-quarter goals to James Podsiadly has spurred Geelong to a come-from-behind two-point win over Hawthorn in a wet and windy Easter Monday classic at the MCG.

The Hawks led for much of the second half, but Geelong booted four goals to none in the final term to pinch the 14.8 (92) to 13.12 (90) win in front of 69,231 fans.

The result made it eight straight wins for Geelong over the Hawks since the 2008 Grand Final, equalling the club's longest ever winning streak against the brown and gold, previously set in 1949-53 and 1963-67.

Incredibly, six out of those eight have been by less than 10 points.

Podsiadly finished with five goals for the Cats and fellow key forward Tom Hawkins three as they monstered Hawthorn's defence in an imposing display.

Steve Johnson also contributed three goals in a lively performance.

At the other end, Tom Lonergan performed strongly on Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin, restricting the key forward to two goals.

Wet weather specialists Joel Selwood (25 disposals) and Jimmy Bartel (20 disposals, two goals) were typically tough through the midfield in a game where no player took a backward step.

Sam Mitchell was everywhere for Hawthorn in the first half, collecting 21 disposals and booting a goal as he helped set up a nine-point half-time lead.

He finished the match with 31 disposals to be the Hawks' best, alongside Brendan Whitecross, who picked up 28 touches and booted two goals in one of the better games of his young career.

Jordan Lewis was the Hawks' leading goalkicker with three.

The lead changed seven times in the first half, with neither side able to extend the margin beyond two goals.

With Cyril Rioli coming to life after a quiet start to the game, Hawthorn booted the opening two goals of the second half to open a game-high 21-point buffer.

Geelong fought back to level the scores, but late goals to Rioli, Matt Suckling and Whitecross gave the Hawks a three-goal break at the final change.

After surrendering the lead at the 22-minute mark of the final quarter, Hawthorn attacked relentlessly in the final minutes but was unable to score the goal required to clinch victory.
 

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

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Billie Smedts replaced by Mitchell Brown in the fourth quarter
Hawthorn: Broc McCauley replaced by Jack Gunston in the fourth quarter

INJURIES
Geelong: Selwood (head) Smedts (shoulder), Johnson (corked thigh)
Hawthorn: Gibson (head), McCauley (concussion)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: McBurney, Margetts, McInerney

Official crowd: 69,231 at MCG

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club