GEELONG huffed and puffed and eventually saw off the challenge of Brisbane by 10 points in a gripping contest at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.

Trailing by a point at the final change, the Cats kicked two goals to one in the fourth quarter to win 11.14 (80) to 11.4 (70) in front of a raucous home crowd.

CATS v LIONS Full match coverage and stats

Tom Hawkins was the hero for the victors, kicking five goals, including the match-sealer late in the last term.

He waged an engrossing duel with Marcus Adams, who was among the Lions' best with his intercept marking, but Hawkins delivered when it mattered most.

Geelong won despite the late withdrawals of Tom Stewart (gastro) and Esava Ratugolea (ankle) and then losing Quinton Narkle (ankle) late in the third term.

Round 4 Showreel

  • 2:04:03

    Match Replay | Round 4

    The Cats and Lions clash in Round 4 of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season at GMHBA Stadium.

    AFL
  • 14:36

    Mini-Match | Round 4

    Extended highlights of the Cats and Lions clash in Round 4 at GMHBA Stadium.

    AFL
  • 03:25

    Roaming Reg | Round 4

    Zach Tuohy takes you around the rooms after the round 4 win against Brisbane.

    AFL
  • 00:54

    Inside The Song | Round 4

    Go inside the song with Max Holmes post Geelong's Round 4 victory against Brisbane at GMHBA Stadium.

    AFL
  • 03:18

    O'Connor Post-Game | Round 4

    Hear from Mark O'Connor following Geelong's Round 4 clash with Brisbane at GMHBA Stadium. Presented by Ford.

    AFL
  • 11:25

    Scott Post-Game | Round 4

    Watch Geelong's press conference after round four's match against Brisbane

    AFL
  • 06:36

    AFL Highlights | Round 4

    The Cats and Lions clash in Round 4 at GMHBA Stadium.

    AFL
  • 00:43

    Narkle Helped From Field

    Quinton Narkle leaves the field in a spot of bother after this clash

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Team Song | Round 4

    Watch the Cats celebrate their round four win

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Smith Special On The Run

    Isaac Smith makes it look easy from distance and salutes the Geelong faithful

    AFL
  • 00:33

    The Tom and Jeremy Connection Pays Off Early

    Jeremy Cameron provides a beautiful pass to Tom Hawkins who finishes in typical style.

    AFL

While Hawkins finished off around goal, Geelong won this match at the coalface.

Incredibly, the first half saw a total of 13 goals, but neither team could string two together consecutively as they traded blows.

The Cats were able to transition the ball well from their back half to create chances, and after some gettable misses early on, made Brisbane pay in the second quarter.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Isaac Smith of the Cats is chased by Zac Bailey of the Lions during the 2022 AFL Round 04 match between the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions at GMHBA Stadium on April 08, 2022 In Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Isaac Smith (29 disposals) found space on the left wing all night, giving Brisbane headaches with his hard run and penetrating kicking, while Patrick Dangerfield overcame a slow start under the attention of Jarrod Berry to impart his will on the contest after half-time.

Brisbane will lose no admirers from the match, despite losing its 13th straight contest at the venue.

Dan McStay was magnificent in defeat, kicking three goals from his 14 disposals and 11 marks.

O'Connor and Neale meet again

From the moment Mark O'Connor was selected to replace his rested skipper Joel Selwood, it was clear he'd tag Lachie Neale. Last year the Irishman did a wonderful job in quietening the Brownlow medallist both times they squared off, but Neale was ready this time. After a quiet start, the Lions ball-winner had seven disposals by quarter-time and 13 by the half, most of his work done close to the contest. He finished with a match-high 30 for the night, that included 11 clearances, to take the points.

Mark O'Connor and Lachie Neale in action in Geelong's Round 4 clash at GMHBA Stadium.

Cockatoo reported in return to Cattery

This was Nakia Cockatoo's first visit back to Geelong since he left the Cats 18 months ago and it's fair to say it was a mixed bag. After a quiet first half, the powerful Lion started the third quarter with a contest against Rhys Stanley. With the ball in dispute, the pair came together with Stanley falling backwards. Cockatoo was reported for rough conduct and now faces a nervous wait to see if he'll be cited by the Match Review Officer.

Battle of the big forwards

If you like watching big forwards go to work, this was the match for you. While Hawkins (5.3) was making the most of his chances at one end, Dan McStay and Joe Daniher were keeping the Lions in the contest at the other. Each Lion kicked three goals and combined for 18 marks between them. It was one of McStay's best games in Brisbane colours, particularly considering the hostile environment.

GEELONG       2.2       7.6       9.8       11.14 (80)
BRISBANE     2.2       6.3       10.3     11.4 (70)

GOALS  
Geelong: Hawkins 5, Bews, Cameron, Dahlhaus, Narkle, Smith, Stengle
Brisbane: Daniher 3, McStay 3, Cameron 2, Fullarton, Rayner, Starcevich

BEST  
Geelong: Smith, Hawkins, Tuohy, Blicavs, Duncan, Dangerfield
Brisbane: McStay, Neale, Adams, Daniher, Andrews, Rich

INJURIES  
Geelong: Narkle (ankle)
Brisbane: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Esava Ratugolea (ankle) and Tom Stewart (gastro) replaced in selected side by Quinton Narkle and Gryan Miers
Brisbane: Nil

SUBSTITUTES  
Geelong: Zach Guthrie (replaced Narkle in the third quarter)
Brisbane: Deven Robertson (unused)

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