Tom Hawkins stole the show but it was Hamish McIntosh’s contribution that had Geelong delighted.

With just a handful of games in three years, Easter Monday marked his first hit-out against Hawthorn in the navy hoops and he revelled in it.

Geelong coach Chris Scott said it would have been easy for McIntosh to lose confidence in his ability and fitness.

“For him to come back and be a crucial part of what we’re trying to do, it’s really good for the team but we all feel really proud of how he stuck at it,” Scott said.

“For the first 12 months it was hard for him to call himself a Geelong player because he just couldn’t get out on the field.

“You can do all the work perfectly in rehab but until you get out there with your mates on the big stage, it’s hard to call yourself one of them.

“I think he can do that now.”

The Cats and Hawks were in the middle of the ding-dong Monday battle when a player named Walker emerged.

He wasn’t listed on the team-sheet and hadn’t played all year, yet there he was, ripping the Hawks apart.

Three last-quarter goals to the man in the number 34 jumper gave Geelong a platform to run away with it, finishing 19 points in front.

But rather than Josh Walker – the usual occupant of the shirt – it was Tom Hawkins using it as a spare after his own guernsey was ripped.

Instead of focusing on his own performance after the game, Hawkins also acknowledged the contribution of both McIntosh and fellow ruckman Dawson Simpson.

“I just love seeing Hamish out there. Both of our big fellows have had such wretched runs with injury, so it’s good to see them finally get a bit of consistency,” he said.

“They’re going to be very important to use throughout the year.”