CATS SMASHED BY HAWKS
Ben Jensen 6 April 2015

HAWTHORN HAWKS V GEELONG CATS WELL, what can you say about that game? The game started off pretty one-side with the Hawks slamming home a couple goals before the Cats got out of first gear, but they ended the quarter in front. Mitch Clark kicked two goals and fellow big forward Tom Hawkins one, and the Cats looked in with a chance. But it wasn't to be, the Hawks just about putting it beyond reach by half time and certainly by midway into the third quarter.

Geelong kicked just the one goal in each of the second and third terms but saw six and seven goals against; absolutely belted all over the ground. The cause wasn't helped with ruckman Dawson Simpson had to be taken off with a shoulder issue but the game was well lost by then.

Luke Bruest continued his good form against the Cats with give goals, likewise Paul Puopolo had three. Mitch Clark booted three in his first outing with the Cats and Hawkins two. The others to play their first game for the Cats and in the AFL were Cory Gregson who started as sub and Nakia Cockatoo; neither was prominent.

Jimmy Bartel had quite a lot of the ball but didn't always hit the target; he has to be in doubt for Sunday's match at home against Fremantle after copping a pretty sickening blow in the final seconds of the match. He was tackled and slammed into the ground face first, likely unintentional but no less damaging. He was helped from the field by two Geelong staff, but appeared groggy.

The Hawks will surely find themselves unbackable favourites after this, not that we're into betting; the Cats likely to blow out into decent double figures and possibly worth a shot! Looks like it may be a long season but then again last year Sydney lost to GWS in round one and ended up topping the ladder so don't panic just yet.

HAWTHORN: 3.3, 9.7, 16.13, 17.21 (123)DEFEATED
GEELONG: 4.3, 5.3, 6.6, 8.13 (61)

GOALS
HAWTHORN: Breust 5, Puopolo 3, Roughead 3, McEvoy 2, Mitchell, Rioli, Gunston, Anderson
GEELONG: Clark 3, Hawkins 2, Motlop, Caddy, Bews

BEST
HAWTHORN: Lewis, Mitchell, Burgoyne, Lake, Gibson, Puopolo, Ceglar, Breust
GEELONG: Motlop, Bartel, Johnson

INJURIES
HAWTHORN: Luke Shiels (hamstring)
GEELONG: Jimmy Bartel (concussion)

SUBSTITUTES
HAWTHORN: Jed Anderson, replaced Liam Shiels in the first quarter
GEELONG: Cory Gregson, replaced Dawson Simpson in the final quarter

CHANGES
HAWTHORN: NIL
GEELONG: Andrew Mackie (quad tightness) replaced in the selected side by Billie Smedts.

UMPIRES

Matt Stevic, Sam Hay, Troy Pannell

TIP: Cats by 2 points

CROWD: 73,584 at Melbourne Cricket Ground