GEELONG has handed Hawthorn its worst start to a season in nearly 20 years, staying unbeaten with a convincing 86-point win over the listless Hawks.
In terms of the classic MCG Easter Monday clashes between the sides over the past decade, the 20.14 (134) to 6.12 (48) result won't register.
But the significance of the result won't be lost, with Geelong joining Richmond and Adelaide as the only unbeaten teams after four rounds and Hawthorn remaining lumped at the bottom of the ladder after back-to-back thrashings.
The Cats, a week after their 20.6 return against a wasteful Melbourne, were early victims to the yips which kept their rivals in the game longer than otherwise would have been the case.
But their 11-goal straight final term showed the struggling Hawks no mercy to leave Alastair Clarkson's side 0-4 for the first time since 1998.
Five talking points: Hawthorn v Geelong
Steven Motlop (33 disposals, three goals), Mitch Duncan (32, two goals) and Patrick Dangerfield (27 disposals) were all valuable contributors for the Cats, while Lachie Henderson was dominant in defence.
Dangerfield was sore throughout the contest after an early bump left him ginger, but his contested work remained solid throughout the afternoon.
"We won when we weren't playing great footy particularly early, especially with our execution," Chris Scott said post-game.
"It was pleasing that we generated chances, but [frustrating] we could not convert and put the game away earlier than we did."
Highlights were rare for the Hawks, but James Sicily came into the game as a late inclusion for the injured Ty Vickery (back tightness) and by the end of the afternoon had showed he should be in on a full-time basis. Perhaps Hawthorn's most exciting young player, Sicily took 10 marks and kicked two goals in a strong effort in attack.
Clarkson said he had told his players after the defeat to "hang in there".
"Our skill level is just nowhere near the level [required]. Some of our players you'd think they were different players, and that can come and go with footy," he said.
"We know these guys have got the quality and have been able to produce good football, but right at the present time the cohesion among our group is nowhere near as strong as it should be."
Luke Hodge was good with 35 disposals, while Tom Mitchell worked hard with 32 touches and 10 tackles. Ryan Burton continues to impress in his role across half-back, while Isaac Smith tried hard to ignite his team when it needed some dash.
Adding to the Hawks' woes might be the likely Match Review Panel scrutiny for Josh Gibson, whose heavy shepherd on Tom Ruggles left the Geelong player dazed and struggling to the bench in the hands of trainers. Ruggles didn't return to the field after the bump near half time.
Geelong also faces some MRP pain with Sam Menegola's slam tackle and James Parsons' elbow – both on Hodge – reported.
The Cats had chances to blow the game out of Hawthorn's reach by quarter time. Their seven behinds included several simple opportunities, which saw them waste their control of the play across the ground.
The Hawks didn't hit the scoreboard until nearly midway through the first quarter, when Jack Gunston broke his own goal drought this year to snap a brilliant major from the boundary line, but there was clearly an inherent different way the Hawks moved forward to the Cats. In the Cats there was purpose; in Hawthorn uncertainty.
Despite that, the Cats still couldn't make the most of their chances in a scrappy contest. Ten consecutive behinds (including seven for Geelong) was broken by a cleverly snapped goal from Nakia Cockatoo to give his side a 14-point lead at the 18-minute mark of the second quarter.
It started a mini-run for the Cats, who booted the next two majors and kept Hawthorn to its first goalless quarter of the season to establish a half-time lead of 24 points. It was closer to how the scoreboard should have read, but was still some way from depicting the true gap between the teams.
Hawthorn needed a spark, and a quick goal from Smith early in the third term signaled better intent after the main break. Sicily's aerial dominance helped the Hawks continue their push, and it forced Chris Scott to switch Harry Taylor from the forward line to full back.
Clarkson's men continued to threaten and pegged the lead back to 14 points, and – to that stage – their endeavor was better than their defeat to Gold Coast last round. But they still lacked the polish to get closer, with Geelong kicking the next three goals to stretch the lead to 34 points. For all of Hawthorn's work, they were further behind.
It seemed to hurt, and the Cats' dominant final term only further confirmed what the previous three terms (and weeks) had shown everyone: the Hawthorn that was, is no longer.
MEDICAL ROOM
Hawthorn: The Hawks appeared to get through the game without any major fitness concerns. Ty Vickery was a late withdrawal with back tightness so will be monitored during the week. Former captain Luke Hodge was left floored by a slam tackle in the third term but played out the game.
Geelong: Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield was hurt early in the first quarter after a marking contest with Jarryd Roughead. He spent some time on the bench and went into the change rooms at quarter-time for attention, but battled on to be a key player in the win despite the soreness in his ribs region. "If there was any suggestion that he could be in doubt for next week we would not have had him on the field," said Chris Scott after the game. Second-year Cat Tom Ruggles' day was ended by a heavy bump from Josh Gibson in the second term, with Ruggles sitting out the rest of the contest.
NEXT UP
Hawthorn could be reunited with former skipper and champion Sam Mitchell next week, with the Hawks hosting West Coast at the MCG on Sunday. Geelong will head into its clash with St Kilda on Sunday at Etihad Stadium favourites to continue their unbeaten start to 2017.
HAWTHORN 2.0 2.6 4.10 6.12 (48)
GEELONG 2.7 5.12 9.14 20.14 (134)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Gunston 2, Sicily 2, Puopolo, Smith
Geelong: Hawkins 4, Motlop 3, Menzel 3, Duncan 2, Parsons 2, Cockatoo, Henderson, Stewart, Murdoch, Thurlow, Menegola
BEST
Hawthorn: Sicily, Hodge, Mitchell, Smith, Brand
Geelong: Duncan, Henderson, Selwood, Motlop, Menegola, Menzel
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Gibson (cut head)
Geelong: Ruggles (concussion), Dangerfield (corked hip)
Reports: Menegola for rough conduct on Hodge. Parsons for rough conduct on Hodge.
