MCG will play host to Monday's Round 3 AFL game between Hawthorn Hawks and Geelong Cats. The game kicks off at 3:20 pm with Geelong Cats heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Hawthorn Hawks vs. Geelong Cats game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Monday April 1, 2024 at 3:20 pm

Where: MCG

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Hawthorn Hawks vs Geelong Cats Odds

Hawthorn Hawks vs Geelong Cats Preview

The calendar flicks over to April with the Hawks and Cats squaring off for the 11th time on Easter Monday.

It’s been a tough start to the year for Hawthorn fans – a Round 1 loss to the Bombers quickly backed up with a disheartening 55-point defeat to Melbourne last week.

The game was basically over before it began, with many questioning Sam Mitchell’s tactics to focus on Clayton Oliver and Melbourne’s midfield – rather than stick to the same aggressive game plan that has seen Hawthorn competitive against better opponents.

The Cats, meanwhile, come into this game unbeaten with two impressive wins under their belts against St Kilda and Adelaide.

Geelong rewound the clock last week in a 19-point win over the Crows, Tom Hawkins joining in with four goals to compliment a huge game from Tom Stewart down back in his milestone game.

Through two games, Geelong has proven one of the toughest teams to score against, highlighted by the fact they rank second in tackles.

Tight, nail-biting games between these two rivals have become tradition, but Hawthorn’s growing injury list makes this an increasingly tough ask.

The Cats have their own concerns with Patrick Dangerfield sent for scans on his hamstring, but with Geelong looking so poised behind the ball, and the Hawks struggling to stop teams from scoring off stoppages, it’s hard to envision any kind of upset.

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Hawthorn Hawks vs Geelong Cats Tip

Hawthorn Hawks vs Geelong Cats Teams

HAWKS

B: B.Hardwick, S.Frost, J.Scrimshaw

HB: M.D’Ambrosio, K.Amon, J.Sicily

C: J.Impey, C.Nash, C.Macdonald

HF: L.Breust, M.Chol, J.Worpel

F: J.Ginnivan, M.Lewis, D.Moore

FOLL: L.Meek, J.Newcombe, J.Ward

I/C: N.Watson, H.Morrison, C.Mackenzie, J.Weddle, H.Hustwaite

EMG: M.Ramsden, S.Butler, J.Serong

IN: L.Meek, H.Morrison, H.Hustwaite

OUT: F.Maginness (omitted), N.Reeves (omitted), J.Gunston (omitted)

CATS

B: T.Stewart, S.De Koning, J.Kolodjashnij

HB: Z.Guthrie, J.Henry, M.Blicavs

C: O.Henry, J.Clark, M.Holmes

HF: B.Close, T.Stengle, T.Hawkins

F: J.Cameron, G.Miers, O.Dempsey

FOLL: T.Conway, B.Parfitt, M.O’Connor

I/C: M.Duncan, T.Atkins, T.Bruhn, O.Mullin, J.Bowes

EMG: Z.Tuohy, R.Stanley, S.Mannagh

IN: T.Conway, M.Duncan, T.Atkins, T.Bruhn, J.Bowes

OUT: P.Dangerfield (hamstring), R.Stanley (managed), M.Knevitt (omitted), Z.Tuohy (managed), S.Mannagh (omitted)