SO MUCH for needing a mini pre-season.

After kicking only three goals in the first three rounds, Tom Hawkins’ resurgence in season No.17 has reached unchartered territory after booting a career-high eight goals to make it 17 goals in the past three rounds – 22 for the season – leading Geelong to a fourth straight win on Sunday.

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And the timing couldn’t have been more apt, with the Finley product firing in the annual Country Game to win the Tom Wills Award in the 28-point win at the MCG.

Geelong started its premiership defence winless after three rounds – the first side since North Melbourne in 1976 to do that – but have gradually clicked into gear over the past month, with wins over Hawthorn, West Coast, Sydney and now Essendon after defeating the Bombers 20.12 (132) to 16.8 (104).

When Hawkins drove up from his farm early on Sunday morning, the Coleman Medallist hadn’t kicked more than six goals in a game since 2018 when he kicked his third bag of seven. The five-time All-Australian had four on the board by the 20-minute mark of the opening quarter, six by half-time and started the final quarter searching for a personal best eighth major.

And the 34-year-old got it with a trademark, composed set shot 20 minutes into the final quarter.

While Hawkins had a day out on Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Dartmoor product Jeremy Cameron was content playing the stunt double, like Brad Pitt to Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, finishing with three goals to draw level with Charlie Curnow in the Coleman Medal race.

Moggs Creek’s most recognisable resident Patrick Dangerfield inflicted maximum damage between the arcs, amassing 28 disposals, 15 inside 50s, 10 clearances, 684 metres gained in a game that will attract more coaches votes on the back of accumulating 24 in the past three weeks.

BOMBERS v CATS Full match coverage and stats

The signs were ominous from the outset when Dangerfield strolled out of the first centre bounce with a clear clearance. Max Holmes did it the next time in the middle and the Cats had two goals on the board five minutes into the game.

After conceding the final seven goals on Anzac Day five days earlier to watch a 28-point three-quarter time lead disappear against Collingwood, the Bombers conceded the first six goals of the Country Game and never fully recovered from dropping the 38 points.

Jake Stringer was the only reason Essendon remained a chance in the first half. He made an impact in the centre and around the ground, as well as kicking three clever goals. But despite the influence of the box office star, Geelong had all the answers.  

Sam Weideman didn’t get a sniff in the opening quarter but kicked two goals in three minutes in the second quarter to continue to keep the Bombers with a pulse.

Stringer added another goal after half-time to finish with four majors from 26 disposals and 11 clearances in his most complete performance yet this season, while Weideman backed up his eye-catching effort on Tuesday with five goals on Sunday to continue his emergence in the absence of Peter Wright.

Essendon finished with a score in triple figures but were made to pay for such a slow start. The final margin was less than what Geelong had on the board when Sam Draper kicked Essendon’s first score late in the first quarter.

After returning from South Australia with four wins from five under new coach Brad Scott, the Bombers are now just outside the eight at 4-3 ahead of a tough return to Adelaide next Sunday to face Port Adelaide.

Tom Wills Award votes

Tom Hawkins - 9
Patrick Dangerfield - 5
Jake Stringer - 3
Darcy Parish - 1

On a string
While Tom Hawkins and Patrick Dangerfield torched the Bombers at the MCG, Jake Stringer one of his best performances yet in red and black. The All-Australian amassed 26 disposals, 11 clearances – the most on the ground – 529 metres gained and kicked four goals. Without Stringer, the game would have been over at half-time. The 29-year-old kicked three goals in the opening half, splitting his time around the ball and inside 50.

Recruit out early
Jack Bowes has just settled into life in the hoops but he might be in for some time on the sidelines after being subbed out of the game in the first quarter on Sunday. The off-season signing injured his calf in his sixth game for the Cats. Chris Scott wasn’t sure about the severity of the injury post-game but the ex-Sun could miss the coming weeks.

Brothers battle in the box
Brad Scott coached against his twin brother Chris 13 times during his decade at the helm of North Melbourne. But after three years away from the coaches’ box, Brad returned to club land in September and didn’t have to wait too long to face his brother. With the Dons down by 38 points before quarter-time, it looked like an ugly watch for Brad early before they fought back. Chris now leads the head-to-head 9-5.

ESSENDON     2.0     7.2      11.6     16.8      (104)
GEELONG        6.3     14.4    17.6     20.12    (132) 

GOALS
Essendon: Weideman 5, Stringer 4, Shiel 2, Draper, Caldwell, Redman, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Hobbs,
Geelong: Hawkins 8, Cameron 3, Simpson 2, Henry 2, Bruhn 2, Rohan, Close, Holmes

BEST
Essendon: Stringer, Weideman, Parish, Shiel, Caldwell, Martin
Geelong: Hawkins, Dangerfield, Stewart, Cameron, Holmes, Miers

INJURIES
Essendon: Nil  
Geelong: Bowes (calf), Rohan (hamstring)

LATE CHANGES
Essendon: Nil
Geelong: Mitch Knevitt replaced Zach Tuohy (back) in the selected side

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Will Snelling replaced Andrew Phillips in the fourth quarter
Geelong: Tanner Bruhn replaced Jack Bowes in the first quarter

Crowd: 67,457 at the MCG