Contenders or pretenders?
Geelong did their premiership credentials no harm as they handed Hawthorn a 61 point thrashing in a much needed goal fest. With a favourable upcoming fixture and run of games at GMHBA Stadium, the Cats could lock away their place in the eight within a month of
footy’s restart.
It was the first time Hawthorn have played in Geelong since 2006, and they won’t be rushing back anytime soon.
The prolonged wait Patrick Dangerfield was forced to endure for his 250th game was well worth it as the Cats tore Hawthorn to shreds in the second half, scoring 10.2.62 to 1.1.7 and keeping them scoreless in the final quarter.
This on the back of a seesawing first half that finished with Geelong holding a narrow 7.4.46 to 6.4.40 one goal lead.
The Cats started quickly, Luke Dalhaus kicking the first goal just 16 seconds in. Rhys Stanley and Tom Atkins quickly extended the lead to three goals. Oliver Hanrahan and flexible Shaun Burgoyne magic on the goal line lead the Hawks early fightback. The Cats got on a roll again stretching the lead to 19 before Hawthorn finished strongly to slice the quarter time margin to seven.
Ageless Shaun Burgoyne scoring Hawthorn's second of the night
The second quarter was a goal for goal exchange with neither side looking like running away with it. Selwood and Ablett were the first half standouts, the two names going hand in hand with Cats dominance as the game progressed.
At half time it appeared we were going to be treated to another nail-biter, this was far from the truth.
Stanley, Miers, Duncan, Menegola and Dangerfield gave Geelong the first five goals of the second half and seven of the last eight goals in the match. Bragging rights at the Cattery were off the table, Geelong meant business.
At three quarter time the score line read 13.6.84 plays 7.5.47. Geelong didn’t take their foot off the accelerator, burying the now helpless Hawks under a merciless pile of goals.
Shaun Burgoyne could find himself in hot water for this tackle on Patrick Dangerfield
By full time, a pretty picture wasn’t painted of the hyped up Hawks. Clarko’s genius and the organisations professionalism supposedly throwing them in the premiership conversation, but a 17.6.108 to 7.5.47 lashing provided a bleak reality check.
Whether it was a poor finish from Hawthorn, or a reinvigorated Geelong outfit announcing themselves as a serious threat to the competition, only time will tell.
Gryan Miers topped the goalkicking with three goals, a pool of five Cats and one Hawk trailing him with two.
Cats skipper Joel Selwood, was prevalent with 28 disposals. Gary Ablett had two goals and 21 disposals but was influential. Newest member of the 250 club Patrick Dangerfield, also had a strong showing with 24 disposals.
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