A dramatic lightning delay and a Melbourne deluge couldn’t dull the Tom Hawkins 350th game celebrations, with Geelong claiming a 36-point win over Hawthorn at the MCG.
In scenes rarely seen the Cats and Hawks were lined up at three quarter time and ready to play out before the final term before being sent back to the rooms. The majority of fans at the MCG stuck it out during the longer than 40-minute delay and both teams returned to an electric atmosphere with the remaining crowd lifting a notch.
Geelong led by 36 at the final break and immediately after the rain break looked at risk of giving up that margin as the Hawks came out firing. It was scenes reminiscent of Melbourne’s almost-comeback against Brisbane last year after the lights went out at the Gabba, but the Hawks’ comeback was shorter lived.
Chris Scott’s Cats kicked the final three goals of the game to seal a third consecutive win to start 2024.
Here's what we thought of every player.
GEELONG
Tom Stewart: A
Started as the defensive wingman early and rotated back through there. For the second consecutive week the opposition coach paid him little respect and Stewart made the Hawks pay.
Mitch Duncan: A
Cleaner than most when the rain came down and stood up in all the big contests. Over 500 metres gained at 80 disposal efficiency.
Oliver Henry: A
Two goals in the first term in his 50th match set the tone for what eventuated as a big game for the former Magpie. Hasn’t played many better games in the hoops and finished with four majors.
Max Holmes: A-
The move to half-back continues to pay dividends for Holmes. 23 possessions and 496 metres gained.
Brandan Parfitt: A-
Looks to have come back a different player in 2024. One of the hardest players on the ground on Monday and laid a game-high 10 tackles.
Tanner Bruhn: B+
The Cats are in desperate need of midfielders to stand up with Cam Guthrie and Patrick Dangerfield missing and Bruhn is proving he can help fill the void. 18 touches in the first half and finished with 27.
Tom Hawkins: B+
Started his 350th with two in the first term and played out the contest well. What a warrior for the Cats.
Ollie Dempsey: B+
Got better as the game went on and has all the assets to become a star. Hard to believe he’s only played 10 games.
Tyson Stengle: B+
A performance befitting of his All-Australian best. Creative, electric and always a team-first mentality.
Zach Guthrie: B
Had more intercepts than Tom Stewart in the first half while also providing plenty of rebound off half-back.
Gryan Miers: B-
21 disposals and a goal in a trademark performance for the Cats’ connector.
Toby Conway: B-
In his second game Conway started Monday’s clash like a house on fire and finished in the same manner. The hype out of the Cattery surrounding the young ruckman looks to be spot on.
Brad Close: C+
In the trademark long sleeves on a wet day at the ‘G, Close was cleaner than most and ended up with 17 touches and a goal.
Sam De Koning: C+
Had a stint in the ruck but ultimately got the better of Mitch Lewis playing behind the ball.
Jhye Clark: C+
Doesn’t get as much of the footy as he would like and his kick at times is poor, but does some electric things on the field. 15 disposals (eight contested).
Jake Kolodjashnij: C+
Jake Henry: C+
Jeremy Cameron: C
Started the clash well but little impact after half-time. Handing off a goal to Tom Hawkins in his milestone game last in the fourth was a nice touch.
Oisin Mullin: C
Is still learning the game but relished the conditions and looks to be finding his feet at senior level.
Mark Blicavs: C-
A quieter game from the veteran midfielder, letting his younger teammates do the work.
Mark O’Connor: C-
Tom Atkins: N/A
Subbed off at three quarter time with just one kick, but also the eight tackles.
Jack Bowes: N/A
Subbed on at the final break.
HAWTHORN
James Worpel: A
His hot start to 2024 continues. Once again clearly his side’s best midfielder and absolutely stuffed the stats sheet.
Connor Nash: A-
An underrated performance from Nash, who was his side’s leading clearance getter on the day.
Sam Frost: B+
Had the big job on Hawkins in the star Cat’s milestone game and probably split the points. Had the most intercept possessions of any Hawk on the ground.
Lloyd Meek: B+
41 hitouts in his first game for the season and got the better of young Cat Toby Conway around the ground.
James Sicily: B
A slow start for the Hawks skipper but Sicily got better as the game went on.
Mabior Chol: B
There’s a big gap between Chol’s best and worst, but Monday was more of the former. Three goals for the former Tiger and Sun.
Cam Mackenzie: B
So clean and sublime by foot, two goals was a major plus for Mackenzie’s game. Only the 15 touches from over 70 per cent game time.
Nick Watson: B
Threatens to break the game over but lacks the polish to do so, as it stands. Still, his best game for the club.
Karl Amon: C+
Continues to be an integral part of this Hawthorn outfit running off half-back and the wing. Another 19 touches on Monday.
Connor MacDonald: C+
Played mostly forward and looked dangerous on occasion. 16 disposals and a goal and played a particularly big final term.
Massimo D’Ambrosio: C+
Had some moments he’d want back but by and large was tidy with ball in hand and is holding down his position on half-back.
Josh Weddle: C
The rain curtailed much of Weddle’s ability to run and carry as the game became more of a scrap. Five turnovers wasn’t ideal.
Jarman Impey: C
See above.
Blake Hardwick: C
Jack Scrimshaw: C
Had 20 disposals but not the impact to match.
Jai Newcombe: C
Had a bit more of the ball on Monday afternoon but, as has been the case over the opening weeks of season 2024, doesn’t have the impact of last year.
Jack Ginnivan: C-
Did some nice things but his disposals only went at 54 per cent efficiency, the worst of any Hawk and not good enough for a player of his calibre.
Dylan Moore: D+
Too many turnovers for the Hawthorn vice-captain, despite influencing through other methods.
Mitch Lewis: D+
Got going in the second term but struggled outside of that. His slow start to 2024 continues.
Luke Breust: D
Looked old and slow, not much went right for the Hawks veteran. No goals and butchered a couple that looked like gimmes.
Henry Hustwaite: N/A
Subbed off in his first game of the season during the third term. Eight touches and wasn’t his side’s worst.
Harry Morrison: N/A
Came on as the sub in the third term but didn’t influence the contest with only seven touches.