The VFL Cats have faded late in the final quarter to fall short against Box Hill, going down to last years Preliminary Finalist by 34 points on Saturday afternoon at GMHBA Stadium.

Geelong took the lead at the 15 minute mark of the opening term, hanging on to that lead until midway through the final quarter before the Hawks kicked away late.

CATS v HAWKS - Full Match Coverage and Stats

Lawson Humphries impressed in just his second game for the Cats, picking up 23 disposals while showing plenty of dash and creativity with his ball use.

Tobyn Murray added to his impressive start to the season with four goals, while Shannon Neale added three majors to go with 13 disposals and six marks.

The Cats flew out of the blocks in a promising opening quarter, with Kaelan Bradtke slotting the first goal just three minutes into the contest.

Tobyn Murray produced a brilliant few minutes starting with a miraculous snap from the boundary, before calmly slotting a set shot as the Cats took a 15 point lead into the quarter time break.

Shannon Neale showed a clean pair of hands with a nice contested mark early in the second quarter, converting the set shot to open his account for the 2024 season.

Murray snapped home another sensational goal for his third major of the opening half, before Ted Clohesy extended the Cats lead to 13 points at the main break.

Mitch Hardie continued his dominant start to the season with 18 disposals and six clearances in the first half.

Connor O’Sullivan was given the task against the experienced Jack Gunston, keeping the key forward to just two handballs in the opening half, while picking up nine touches and six marks himself.

Shannon Neale broke the game open early the second half with two goals in the opening five minutes, while Murray hit the scoreboard once again for his fourth major of the game.

Jed Bews slotted a classy left foot goal from the pocket, as the Cats withstood a Box Hill surge late in the third quarter to take a 12 point lead into the final term.

The Hawks gained momentum early in the final quarter and booted nine of the last ten goals to close out the 34 point win, despite a spirited performance from the Cats.

Mitch Hardie finished with 22 disposals and seven clearances, Ted Clohesy fought hard for 16 possessions and seven tackles while Marcus Herbert was again solid with 19 touches.

The Cats will head up the highway for a round three clash with the Northern Bullants in two weeks’ time, looking to claim their first win of the season.

VFL Round 2

GEELONG     3.5       6.7     10.10     11.11      (77)
BOX HILL      1.2       4.6     8.10      16.15     (111)
 
GOALS: Murray 4, Neale 3, Bradtke, Clohesy, Bews, Wiltshire 1

BEST: Humphries, Murray, Clohesy, Knevitt, O'Sullivan, Neale

DISPOSALS: Humphries 23, Hardie 22, Herbert 19, Clohesy, Knevitt 16

INJURIES: Nil

@ GMHBA Stadium, Geelong