WHO... Was it Senior or Junior on the 'G?
Fans at the MCG on Monday could have been forgiven for thinking they'd travelled back to
the early 1990s when Gary Ablett Jnr channelled his dad in a second quarter burst. After
springing vertically on his Hawthorn opponent's back in the goal square, Gaz brought the
screamer down and kicked truly. Not long after, the ball arrived back in the Cats forward pocket and
a deft Luke Dahlhaus handball set the Little Master up for a cleverly constructed checkside
goal. The only thing missing was a wispy mullet flapping in the breeze.

WHAT... do you do to get into the Cats team?
After overcoming a late pre-season hiccup, Cam Guthrie took to the field for the Cats VFL
side and put in a strong performance consisting of 25 disposals, five clearances and four
inside 50s. With Charlie Constable due for a rest, Guthrie was able to come straight into the
Cats AFL line up. And the role Guthrie performed was integral to the Cats midfield battle.
Playing a more defensive inside midfield role, Guthrie racked up 22 disposals, four clearances
and eight tackles whilst also rotating through the Hawks damaging mids. With the Cats
possessing plenty of attacking midfield threats, Guthrie's elite two-way running and strong
contested work makes him a perfect complementary piece.

WHEN... was the last time Cats v Hawks didn't deliver?
Sure there's been the occasional fizzer, but for ten years now (and quite frankly much
longer) the Cats and Hawks have put on a show for their fans and football fans in general. Monday was no different with
the Cats not able to breathe easy until late in the fourth quarter despite leading at each change. Long
may the rivalry livel

WHERE... Beautiful Eire
Could the Cats backline get a little more Irish next week? After a solid return outing in the
VFL following knee soreness, Zach Tuohy has put himself firmly back in the frame for a
return to the AFL. But it won't be at the expense of countryman Mark O'Connor who has his
hands all over the Cats most improved title. His defensive work was as good as highly lauded
teammates Tom Stewart, Mark Blicavs and Harry Taylor and his toughness shone through
with big contested marks, spoils and tackles.

WHY... playing slow has multiple benefits
Whilst it can get frustrating for supporters to watch, the Cats slow and methodical work
moving the ball from the backline paid dividends two-fold for the Cats. Not only were they
able to pick through the Hawks defensive zone they also had the Hawks forwards and mids
chasing their opponents all across the MCG to stand the mark. As the game wore on, the
Cats fresher legs enabled them to withstand a late Hawks push.

READ - Cats to honour 09 heroes next Sunday

HOW... stay in the moment

Whilst the Cats start to the year has been impressive and included two strong wins at the
MCG, the task doesn't get any easier over the next fortnight. The Cats will welcome reigning
premiers West Coast to GMHBA Stadium next Sunday afternoon in what will be another
huge test for the blue and white. After that, the Cats head back to the MCG to take on a
resurgent Essendon at the MCG in the annual Powercor Country Festival clash.