HAWTHORN gave everything it had before going down to Geelong by 11 points in a pulsating clash at the MCG on Friday night.
The Hawks looked the better side at many stages, but were held off as the Cats won 12.16 (88) to 11.11 (77).
The game lived up to its blockbuster status before 86,179 fans, with the reigning premier having to pull out all stops after Hawthorn hit the front early in the final term.
Geelong had an important late withdrawal with Darren Milburn replaced by David Johnson, and lost Paul Chapman before half time with hamstring tightness.
Hawthorn pulled an early surprise by playing Campbell Brown in attack, with the idea of using his defensive pressure to trouble Geelong's backmen.
Initially the Hawks had the Cats on the back foot but didn't move the ball as smoothly when they had possession.
Geelong began to take control at clearances and, as expected, applied intense tackling pressure.
Steve Johnson gave Brent Guerra plenty of headaches and the Hawk seemed unable to settle in the lock-down job that differed from his usual 'quarterback' role.
In the 10 minutes before quarter time, Geelong took control with Chapman and Steve Johnson leaving the Hawks in their wake but Mark Williams’ goal just before the break kept the deficit to 19.
Jarryd Roughead ensured the Hawks got away to a flying start in the second term with a booming goal from outside 50, but then Lance Franklin slewed his kick from 30m.
Brown’s strong tackle brought a free kick and goal that justified his move forward and the gap was just seven points.
The Hawks were alive and looked more composed with Sam Mitchell, who finished the game with 33 disposals, generating huge drive from the middle.
Jimmy Bartel broke the run with a goal and Hawthorn was perhaps fortunate to benefit from back-to-back 50m penalties against Cameron Mooney which brought Franklin’s second goal.
Hawthorn was lucky on the rebound as Geelong wasted several easy shots at goal; the worst of those from Ryan Gamble, who kicked into the man on the mark from 20m.
But moments later he snapped truly.
Geelong had its problems with Chapman limping off, but the Cats still went into half time 17 points up in a quality contest.
Roughead again opened the scoring in the third term, proving difficult for Cat Harry Taylor, before Brown marked courageously with the flight to kick another.
The Hawks undid some good work when Bateman kicked across goal deep in defence, and Corey Enright swooped to score Geelong’s only goal of the third quarter.
Michael Osborne went off after suffering a bad cork to the lower back.
Franklin missed from 40 metres out and did so again when he took a big mark, kicking on the opposite side.
Yet the star forward found the target with a banana from a set shot on the boundary to narrow the gap, bringing the supporters right into the game.
Just after Cyril Rioli climbed over his opponent for the mark of the night, the three- quarter-time siren sounded with Hawthorn four points behind but with tails up.
The side lifted when Williams steered through a goal in the opening minute of the final term, giving them the lead for the first time since halfway through the first quarter.
Bartel, given too much latitude, fired in a long goal and both sides made errors under the growing pressure.
Geelong found a way forward for Rooke to goal and extended the lead to 11 points, until Franklin kicked his fourth after a great tackle from Rioli.
Hawthorn persisted only for Brown's kick, which would have levelled the scores, to waver late and with three minutes on the clock Steve Johnson pushed his side to victory.
Geelong 6.3 8.10 9.12 12.16 (88)
Hawthorn 3.2 6.5 9.8 11.11 (77)
GOALS
Geelong: S.Johnson 3, Chapman 2, Bartel 2, Stokes, Mooney, Gamble, Rooke, Enright
Hawthorn: Franklin 4, Roughead 2, Williams 2, Brown 2, Bateman
BEST
Geelong: Bartel, Enright, Corey, Chapman, Stokes, Selwood, Gamble, D. Johnson, Ottens
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Williams, Bateman, Croad, Rioli, Franklin, Lewis
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Osborne (corked buttock)
Geelong: Chapman (hamstring), Milburn (virus) replaced in selected side by D. Johnson
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McBurney, Rosebury, Schmitt
Official crowd: 86,179 at the MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
