Hawthorn Hawks vs Geelong Cats: AFL live scores, blog

The Geelong Cats have defeated the Hawthorn Hawks by 23-points at the MCG. Lacking experienced personnel, the Hawks were running on youth early, putting majors on the board and leading with just a couple minutes remaining in the first. Two late marks converted goals by Gary Rohan put the Cats in front by one at the first change though. Geelong continued their run in the second term, putting on six goals to the Hawks’ three and taking a 17-point lead into the main break. The Hawks seemed to have addressed some issues at the main break, but the Cats’ were beginning to win the footy at the contest and furthered their lead by two goals, to be up by an even 30-point margin at the end of the third. Geelong kicked the first – thanks to a Patrick Dangerfield free kick – in the fourth quarter, then it was the Hawks who took control. They fought back in the final term, kicking a fourth goal to get back within two would have made a tense final few minutes, but it wasn’t to be for the Hawks. Geelong ran out 23-point winners and returned to the top of the ladder. Hawthorn failed to lower their eyes going inside 50, the smalls just couldn’t collect and convert, and their defence was tested by Geelong. Geelong, with a stronger list on paper, looked slow early, but found their mojo late in the first. They had a bit more class going forward and while their defence wasn’t perfect, it was another strong performance by the back six. Ricky Henderson (33 disposals, 2 goals) was brilliant for the Hawks, while Ben McEvoy smashed the ruck contest with 37 hit-outs and pressed forward for two goals. Jaeger O’Meara (26 disposals, 1 goal) and James Worpel (24 disposals, 1 goal) were good at ground level. For Geelong, the usual suspects around the contest in Tim Kelly (29 disposals, 2 goals), Joel Selwood (32 disposals) and Patrick Dangerfield (28 disposals, 2 goals) were busy. Gary Rohan (4 goals) and Gary Ablett (3 goals, 23 disposals) starred up forward for the Cats, the Hawthorn defenders were under pressure whenever the football came inside 50. Ben Stratton was replaced in the selected side by David Mirra, who also went down to the rooms himself with a knee injury in the third term but returned to the field after treatment. Ben McEvoy finished the game on the bench, unclear what for, a possible hip injury was discussed after the game by media. Brandon Parfitt was done at half time for the Cats with a left quad issue, they will await scans in the lead up to their clash with the reigning premiers. Next up for Hawthorn is a trip to Tasmania to host Carlton on Sunday afternoon, while Geelong take on the West Coast Eagles at GMHBA in a twilight Sunday timeslot. Final Score Hawthorn 13.12.90 Geelong 17.11.113

Thanks for tuning in and adding your thoughts throughout this Easter Monday clash. I'll write up a match report and post it shortly.

Geelong sit on top of the AFL ladder at the conclusion of round five; Hawthorn came hard in the last, but it was too late of a charge, with a Hawkins goal sealing the win in the final minutes. Hawthorn battled hard for a team who have been severely hit by injuries to start this year. Ricky Henderson was brilliant, but unfortunately going forward the Hawks just couldn't bring the ball to ground, nor worked hard enough at ground level to scrap some goals.