Geelong is still undefeated in 2017, having enjoyed it’s most comprehensive victory of the season over Hawthorn on Easter Monday.
Cats Media identified three points of interest to follow through the game and, with the benefit of hindsight, here’s how they played out:
Perfect versus imperfect
As much as we had hoped for another epic, Easter Monday did not deliver. For so long have we been spoiled by thrilling contests between old foes Geelong and Hawthorn, ignoring the form guide seemed the right decision.
It wasn’t – and as sweet as this year’s instalment is, the grieving process has now begun.
Geelong sits atop the AFL ladder, having handed the archrival an 86-point defeat which could very well spell the end of the empire. Yet from a holistic point of view, we must mourn what appears to be the end of the greatest modern-day rivalry in our game.
Whether you wear hoops, brown and gold or remain neutral, there really has been nothing better than Hawthorn versus Geelong. But stay gracious, Cats fans – for if it really is all over, we may never see anything like it again.
Jarryd Roughead leads his side off the MCG following their 86-point loss to the Cats. (AFL Photos)
Time to take flight
Nakia Cockatoo returned to the Geelong side and was serviceable without being spectacular. It could have been a bit much to expect the 20-year-old to set the world on fire having missed two games with a broken thumb, but there’s nothing wrong with wishful thinking.
The stat sheet reads 13 disposals and a goal for Cockatoo, which is arguably what we’ve come to expect across his first 23 senior games. We do want more and it’s only a matter of time before we get it.
Nakia Cockatoo had 13 disposals and kicked 1.1. in his return to the Geelong side. (AFL Photos)
N-O'Meara
Prized recruit Jaeger O’Meara was left out of the Hawthorn side due to knee soreness, as the Hawks took a conservative approach with their most-valuable asset.
It was the right call long-term, but those left to fill the void failed to step up.
Liam Shiels was okay for 24 disposals, while Ricky Henderson collected 21. But the Hawks simply did not get enough drive from midfielders Will Langford and Billy Hartung, let alone Cyril Rioli – who spent time on the ball.
Hartung had 18 disposals, Langford 14, Rioli 11, and those numbers did little to support the games of Luke Hodge, Tom Mitchell and Isaac Smith, who all had 30-plus.
Tom Mitchell flew the flag for the Hawks, collecting 32 disposals through the midfield. (AFL Photos)
