Tanner Bruhn produced arguably the best performance of his career to date to help Geelong continue their unbeaten start to the season with a 36-point win against Hawthorn at the MCG on Monday.

Bruhn finished with a career-high 27-disposals, 15 coming in a scintillating first term which saw the Cats pile on seven goals to one.

The 21-year-old stepped up in the absence of skipper Patrick Dangerfield to lead the Cats for contested possessions (15), clearances (9) and centre clearances (5).

“It was a massive effort from all of the boys today but on a personal note I’ve felt like I’ve improved as the weeks have gone by and hopefully can help keep the good work up,” Bruhn told geelongcats.com.au post-game.

After a fast start the Cats were challenged by the Hawks in that second term, but Geelong responded well swinging back the momentum their way in the third term before lightning hit and saw the game delayed.

“It caught a lot of the boys by surprise, but we got back out there.”

“We probably didn’t start (final quarter) the way we like but I thought we finished the game well regardless of the circumstances. It was a full team effort tonight and the boys were good.”

Bruhn was well supported in the midfield by Mitch Duncan (26 disposals, 1 goal) and Brandan Parfitt (21 disposals, 10 tackles). While ruck Toby Conway did some nice things in just his second AFL game with 18 hitouts, 11 disposals, 2 clearances and a goal.

Geelong sits fourth on the ladder at the conclusion of Round 3, just percentage behind the top placed GWS Giants.

The Cats next challenge will see them travel to Adelaide for Gather Round to play the seventh placed Western Bulldogs on Saturday at 8.10pm AEDT.