CATS CLIMB TO TOP ON BACK OF WIN
GEELONG have returned to the top of the AFL ladder, breaking clear of rivals Hawthorn and then holding on in an Easter Monday spectacular at the MCG.
The Cats had too much class for their undermanned opponents, growing their lead to three-quarter-time before securing a 17.11 (113) to 13.12 (90) success.
In Gary Rohan (four), Gary Ablett (three) and Tom Hawkins (three), Geelong had too many routes to goal. But the Hawks made Geelong work for their win, attempting a come-fromthe-clouds final term.
Goals from three of Hawthorn’s best – Jaeger O’Meara, Ben McEvoy and a stunning Ricky Henderson checkside from the boundary – set up a grandstand finish for the 66,347 crowd.
Hawkins ended Hawthorn’s hopes with a strong mark and finish in injury time, confirming the Cats’ fourth win and supremacy on the ladder after five rounds. Joel Selwood and Tim Kelly were superb around the contest, while Ablett provided the polish despite being booed.
In the second quarter Ablett, 34, took a hanger in the goalsquare and kicked truly before firing a superb major from the sideline.
A pantomime villain in one of the AFL’s enduring rivalries, Ablett was roundly booed by the Hawksdominated crowd from the moment he lined up against opponent Jack Gunston.
“It happens most weeks,” he told Channel 7.
“You get used to it.” With a bevy of senior players already on the injury list, Hawthorn were rocked by the late withdrawal of captain Ben Stratton, who is still battling concussion symptoms.
The Hawks trailed by 36 points at one stage but drew to within 16 before the Cats finally shut the door to win by 23.