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The Cats were too good in this one, they got out to a great start and while there was some nervous moments they got the job done.
REPORT: DANGERFIELD STARS, CATS WIN
The Cats had a large spread of goal kickers, but they really went to sleep in that third quarter, however their fightback was good.
Patrick Dangerfield was terrific, with 43 touches in his first game as a Cat, while Sam Mitchell, with 36, was extremely reliable for the Hawks.
The Hawks will get a few numbers back in coming weeks – they have the Eagles next week, in what should be a terrific game. The Cats will look to go two for two when they head to Canberra to take on Greater Western Sydney.
Final score
Geelong 18.8.116
Hawthorn 12.14.86
Patrick Dangerfield makes his official debut for the Geelong Cats, but will it be enough to topple a Hawthorn Hawks side going for four consecutive premierships? Join The Roar before the first bounce at 3:20pm (AEDT) to find out.
The infamous Kennett Curse is now dead and buried but these are two sides that refuse to slide down the ladder following sustained success.
Since 2007 they have won a combined seven premierships (Geelong 2007, 2009, 2011; Hawthorn 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015) showing the dominance of both these sides.
It’s a new breed of Cats this year following Dangerfield’s big move to Geelong in the off-season, as well as those of Lachie Henderson and Zac Smith.
On the flip side it’s the same old names that have done the business for the Hawks for the best part of a decade. It will be fascinating to see how Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis go following the retirements of David Hale and Brian Lake and also the long term injury to Jarryd Roughead.
For the Hawks, Taylor Duryea will benefit from the abolishment of the substitute rule, and should see his stats increase because of it.
Keep an eye on the combination of Selwood boys, Dangerfield and Zac Smith; The team that can best make the use of space in the MCG will go a long way to winning this game.
The Cats small defenders will have a critical role to play this game. Hawthorn’s small forwards were crucial for the Hawks in their two games against the Cats last year; Luke Breust had five goals in Round 1 and Cyril Rioli kicked a game-high six goals in Round 20.
The other question is whether the Cats have the scoring power to go with the Hawks. Hawthorn were the best attacking team in 2015, averaging 109 points a game, while Geelong averaged just 88. However the Hawks attack might drop off without Roughead.
Prediction
Geelong have a new look midfield which is bringing with it high expectations, and Tom Hawkins could be able to exploit a defence adjusting to life without Brian Lake.
Cats by five
Will the much-vaunted Geelong recruits be able to get the Cats off to the perfect start? Or will the experience of Hawthorn get the job done. Join The Roar from 3:20pm (AEDT) to stay up to date with our live scores and blog.
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