THIS had many of the hallmarks of the classic Hawthorn and Geelong games from recent years. There were the wild swings of momentum, the individual brilliance, and the comeback. But this time the Hawks finished victors, and in brilliant style.
In a likely preview to a qualifying final between the sides in two weeks, Hawthorn fought back from a 33-point deficit in the third term to record a 23-point victory.
They kicked 10 consecutive goals to claim the 14.10 (94) to 11.5 (71) win, producing a 56-point turnaround in less than two quarters.
Although the game did not have a significant amount riding on its result in terms of ladder positions, the Hawks will take plenty away from it. For a start, to this point the Hawks had lost 12 of their past 13 games against the Cats.
But it was their ability to return fire, which would have pleased coach Alastair Clarkson most, and they had many players step up.
Clarkson said the turnaround in the second half was due to a lift in effort around the ground and tackling intensity.
"We were really disappointed with our first half," Clarkson said.
"They really hurt us and they maybe should have hurt us a bit more – we were lucky it was only five goals the margin at half-time.
"We appealed to our players and they're a proud group."
When Geelong forward Tom Hawkins kicked his third goal early in the third quarter to give his side their 33-point lead, few could have predicted a charge as sharp as the Hawks'.
But by the end of the term the Hawks were ahead, after Will Langford's shot on the siren sailed through to give them a four-point lead. David Hale had stepped up, Paul Puopolo brought important energy, and the Hawks' midfield got moving.
Langford put together one of the best games of his young career with 23 disposals and two majors, while Sam Mitchell (28 disposals) and Jordan Lewis (25) were also prominent.
Josh Gibson patrolled the backline and gathered 28 touches, while Hale and Jarryd Roughead each kicked three goals.
The Hawks' win was slightly soured by an ankle injury to defender Matt Suckling, who was substituted out of the contest at half-time.
Mitch Duncan had a terrific game for the Cats with 37 disposals, and he was well supported by Cam Guthrie and Mathew Stokes, who each found 33 possessions.
Andrew Mackie was excellent in defence, while Travis Varcoe showed encouraging form, particularly in the first half, and finished with 26 disposals.
"At this point in time, we're feeling pretty positive about the night," Cats coach Chris Scott said.
"It sounds funny to say, but it was a step forward in our preparation. We always went into the game wanting to play well, we certainly didn't put the cue in the rack – not consciously – at half-time after a good performance.
"We'll learn some things from tonight. In that respect, it's kind of 'mission accomplished' a little bit but the competitor in you and in our boys would clearly liked to have performed better after half-time."
In typical fashion between these sides, the game was run in waves.
Geelong dominated early proceedings with Varcoe, Allen Christensen and Steven Motlop playing important roles as the Cats established a 17-point lead, despite the early loss of Shane Kersten to a hamstring injury.
Roughead helped steer the Hawks back to even terms by early in the second quarter, but the Cats steadied and hit back, kicking the next five goals to open a 31-point advantage by the main break.
It was clinical, and a procession. The Hawks couldn't stop the Cats from winning possession, and struggled to get it back as Geelong amassed 100 more possessions for the half, with almost all of those uncontested.
Where the Hawks were stagnant, the Cats linked up, using the run of young midfielders Duncan, Cam Guthrie and Josh Caddy to set things up. By the major break the trio had combined for 63 disposals.
On the back of a six-day break after last week's defeat to Fremantle at Patersons Stadium, Hawthorn was struggling to find the continuity its play and looked lethargic.
But we should have expected it would only be momentary, and that there would be another twist to come. Between these sides, there always is.
Steven Motlop tries to evade the fast-closing Shaun Burgoyne. Picture: AFL Media
HAWTHORN 2.2 3.2 9.7 14.10 (94)
GEELONG 3.2 8.3 9.3 11.5 (71)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Hale 3, Roughead 3, Langford 2,Breust, Ceglar, Gunston, Shiels, Sewell, Lewis
Geelong: Hawkins 3, Murdoch 2, Thurlow, Taylor, Motlop, Bartel, Selwood, Duncan
BEST
Hawthorn: Langford, Mitchell, Lewis, Lake, Ceglar, Roughead, Hale
Geelong: Duncan, Guthrie, Stokes, Caddy, Christensen, Enright
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Suckling (ankle)
Geelong: Kersten (left hamstring)
SUBSTITUTES
Hawthorn: Jonathan Simpkin replaced Matthew Suckling at half-time
Geelong: Jackson Thurlow replaced Shane Kersten in the first quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Stevic, McInerney
Official crowd: 72,212 at the MCG
