Geelong assistant coach Matthew Knights said Friday night’s down-to-the-wire clash with Hawthorn in the JLT Community Series in Launceston was an ideal first-up match.

"They got on top in the second term but our second half was strong. We improved our method around the ball and hit the scoreboard," Knights said after the Cats’ four-point loss.

"I know we're satisfied to come down and play four quality quarters against a good opposition."

The Cats slammed on nine goals in a terrific third quarter, with Knights attributing the turnaround to improved fundamentals with the ball.

"Our pressure lifted a bit; Hawthorn were able to waltz through us a bit in the first half, but we applied more pressure in the second half, which allowed us to win the ball back and go forward ourselves," he said.

"There were plenty of positives out of the game from our perspective," Knights added, citing the four goals from former North forward Aaron Black in his first game in a Geelong t-shirt and first-year players Brandan Parfitt, Zach Guthrie and Jack Henry.

Knights added that the first-quarter injuries to Cameron Guthrie (lower leg) and Lachie Henderson (hip pointer) weren't particularly serious and he expected them to be in consideration in a fortnight, when the Cats travel to Richmond Oval to play Adelaide.

Skipper Joel Selwood is in contention to be back for that game as well.