Geelong have inflicted a second-straight humiliation of fallen AFL heavyweights Hawthorn, rewriting the record books with an 86-point Easter Monday hammering.
The Cats kicked 11 straight goals – their best tally at the MCG in their 120-year history – in the final quarter to put an exclamation mark on their 20.14 (134) to 6.12 (48) victory.
It also surged Geelong to the top of the AFL ladder, extending their perfect start to the season.
For the first time in 20 years, the Hawks have a 0-4 win-loss record and face an almighty challenge to be competitive in 2017.
The Hawks enjoyed strong periods in the first three quarters but when challenged, Geelong responded emphatically.
Three unanswered goals late in the second term put the Cats on top.
The same run in the third quarter ended Hawthorn’s shot at winning, and three more to start the final term blew the margin out.
Tom Hawkins kicked four goals, while Steven Motlop and Daniel Menzel both tallied three in a spread of 11 goalkickers.
The midfield contest showed why Geelong entered the match unbeaten and Hawthorn without a win. Around the ball, the Cats were a well-oiled machine and the Hawks were out to jam their cogs.
It was in front of goal, the wheels came off for both sides.
The Cats limped to 2.11 mid-way through the second term, while Hawthorn struggled to kick straight all afternoon.
But Geelong warmed into the contest, finishing with nine goals without a behind, and Hawthorn couldn’t go with them.
Motlop (33 disposals) was the Cats’ busiest player and Mitch Duncan (32) was perhaps their most impressive alongside Sam Menegola (31).
Patrick Dangerfield wasn’t his usual best but it didn’t matter for Geelong, who had winners across the ground.
The result means Alastair Clarkson’s side will spend another week at the bottom of the AFL ladder but have restored some pride after last week’s belting at the hands of Gold Coast by the same margin.
Luke Hodge was the Hawks’ best, overcoming brutal treatment at the hands of James Parsons with a high elbow and Menegola with a sling tackle.
James Sicily, a late inclusion for Ty Vickery, showed some spark up forward with two goals – the same return as Jack Gunston.
Josh Gibson endured a dour day, rubbing out Tom Ruggles with an unseemly bump, before conceding a clumsy deliberate rushed behind.
