Geelong remain the only undefeated team in the competition after edging arch-rivals Hawthorn in a tight, finals-like contest.
The game saw two modern day rivals go head-to-head in front of 70,000 fans at the MCG. Travis Varcoe had the ball in his hands within the first two minutes, ran to thirty metres and slotted the first goal of the game for the Hawks. Out of form spearhead Tom Hawkins was back to his best as he went on to bag five, along with seven contested marks.
The Cats managed to lead at every change, but never blew the Hawks out of the water and led by a measly eight points going into the final term. The Hawks cam out firing in the last, kicking the first two goals in quick succession to lead for the first time. Jack Gunston was dangerous up forward, his backtracking causing all sorts of issues for Tom Lonergan, and Hawthorn looked as though they were going to run away with the victory.
Geelong finally got going 10 minutes into the final quarter when big man Hamish McIntosh managed to slam the ball from 60m to Tom Hawkins, who once-again proved too strong for Kyle Cheney in the air. He checksided a goal from 15 metres out and it was all Geelong from then on. Hawkins kicked a total of 3 for the quarter as the Cats stormed to a 19-point victory, taking their tally to 12 from 13 since the well-documented 2008 grand final.
Joel Selwood had little impact on the contest, being well held by Will Langford. Jarryd Roughead struggled for the Hawks and was kept goalless by two-time All-Australian Harry Taylor.
After letting once slip last year, will Geelong continue the ‘Kennett Curse’? Or will the Hawks finally get the upper hand on the Cats? We will find out when these two sides meet again in Round 23!
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