Vintage performances from Tom Hawkins and Patrick Dangerfield have propelled Geelong to their fourth consecutive victory over a slow-starting Essendon in the highest scoring game of the season.
Hawkins was brilliant with four goals in the first quarter as the Cats kicked the first six goals of the game. He finished with eight goals to take his career tally to 754.
Tom Hawkins bagged eight goals against the Bombers.Credit: Getty Images
Matched up on improved defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, he was too strong for the Bomber, who looked like Laurel next to Hardy when caught in a battle with the veteran Cat. Hawkins kicked six goals in the first half before the move was made with Jordan Ridley taking over.
Equally impressive was the Cats’ skipper Dangerfield, who was too big for the Bombers’ midfielders, his breakaway speed allowing him win centre clearances. Dangerfield finished up launching the ball inside 50 on 15 occasions.
Patrick Dangerfield also starred for the Cats.Credit: AFL Photos
His role was important because clearances were crucial to the result – both teams scored from clearances at a high rate. Winning the first six centre clearances was pivotal to the result.
Despite their slow start and the five-day break after Anzac Day, the Bombers did not give up, with Jake Stringer moving into the middle and having an immediate impact. Darcy Parish joined in and the second quarter became a shootout with both teams going goal for goal.
But that didn’t worry the high-scoring Cats as they are now capable of keeping pace with the opposition, despite having lost Jack Bowes to a calf injury in the first quarter and needing to use Gary Rohan at three-quarter pace after he felt his hamstring tighten just before half-time.
The injury gave Tanner Bruhn a chance to come on the ground, having replaced Zach Tuohy who failed a fitness test in the warm-up. Bruhn showed his class with two goals, as did Ollie Henry.
Essendon showed they are a more resilient bunch under Brad Scott and started the second half with run and intensity drawing within four goals midway through the quarter.
Sam Durham missed a set shot that would have put the Bombers within three goals. When Nic Martin coughed up the ball in defence, which led to Hawkins kicking his seventh goal, the Cats had regained their poise.
They then kicked away and the Bombers were unable to rally again, with the Cats’ possessing more class inside their forward 50. Stringer was outstanding and Sam Weideman showed promise, kicking a career-high five goals, while Martin – despite one significant error – was excellent. Sam De Koning also showed his versatility, starting the first centre bounce in the ruck and combining well with Mark Blicavs to even up the contest.
Hawkins bags a career-high eight goals
All the focus has been on Jeremy Cameron and Charlie Curnow at the top of the goalkicking table, but it was Hawkins who reminded everyone he is the goalkicking godfather with a career-high eight goals in his 334th game. He was at his imperious best with his set shot goalkicking exceptional, his only blemish coming in the first quarter. Hawkins also moved past Saverio Rocca and Barry Hall on the all-time goalkicking record. He has now kicked 754 goals in his brilliant career. Hawkins, who has kicked 22 goals for the season, has been the Cats’ leading goalkicker for 11 consecutive seasons. He is now chasing Cameron, who has kicked 30 goals for the season.
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. McDonald-Tipungwuti, Hobbs, Redman. Geelong: Hawkins 8, Cameron 3, Simpson 2, Bruhn 2, Henry 2, Close, Rohan, Holmes.
BEST Essendon: Stringer, Martin, Parish, Weideman. Geelong: Hawkins, Dangerfield, Stewart, Cameron, Miers, Holmes.
