Box Hill stunned the Cats with three second-quarter goals to zero, to set up a 31-point half-time lead and, while briefly challenged, motored away to win 15.15 (105) to 10.14 (74).
Geelong continued to make in-roads in the final term kicking the first two goals which cut the margin back to 30 points, but still couldn’t match it with the Hawks.
Cameron Pedersen was outstanding in defense, while Ed Curnow (30), Steve Kenna (28) and Beau Muston (26) rounded out the Hawks' best.
The game between last year’s VFL elimination finalists caught the attention of AFL followers with the return of new Hawthorn recruit Shaun Burgoyne and Geelong’s Matthew Stokes to the field.
In a blow to the Hawthorn side, Shaun Burgoyne (15, 1 goal) suffered a fractured jaw after injuring himself in a collision with Geelong backman Max Rooke. Burgoyne was still able run out the game, but will be out for at least the next two weeks.
Stokes suffered a minor ankle injury, but the injury isn’t as serious as first thought.
Box Hill slowly but surely continued to increase their lead right-throughout the match and never looked troubled.
Geelong unclean on the scoreboard with 0.6 in the second proved a problem, while finding it constantly difficult to hit a target up forward with the pressure of the Hawks defence.
Two turnovers in the Geelong backline proved costly in the third term seeing Taylor Duryea and Beau Dowler respond with a goal piece bringing the Hawks a 45-point lead which was too much for the Cats.
Luke Ablett (22) and Shane Savage (25 touches) played polished performances, while pleasing both Jarrod Kayler-Thomson and Taylor Duryea kicked three goals a-piece.
The Hawks have started the season the best possible way and sit atop the ladder after Round 2 with Sandringham, Williamstown and North Ballarat as one of four unbeaten teams.
Next, Box Hill plays Coburg Tigers at Highgate Recreation Reserve on Saturday 24th April.
The Match will be shown live on ABC TV.
Geelong Cats: 2.4 / 2.10 / 6.11 / 10.14.74
Box Hill Hawks: 5.4 / 8.5 / 13.11 15.15.105
Goals: T. Duryea 3, J. Kayler-Thomson 3, S. Gibson 2, B. Smithwick 2, B. Neil 2, B. Dowler, S. Burgoyne, E. Curnow
Best: C. Pedersen, E. Curnow, S. Kenna, J. Kayler-Thomson, B. Muston, S. Savage
