Thanks to Deakin University, all the important take-outs from the Cats big win over St Kilda.

Hulk Hawkins

Are we seeing the best of Tom Hawkins at age 32? Hawkins’ season has been incredibly consistent so far and as of now he sits on top of the Coleman medal as well as having the most goal assists in the AFL. As Chris Scott spoke about after the game, Hawkins has also learnt over the years how to best manage his body and his back and knee ailments of the past are not playing havoc on his ability to cover the ground and provide one of the best one-on-one contests in the AFL. With Doug Wade less than 100 goals away in second spot on the Cats all-time goals list, expect Hawkins to beat that feat in the coming seasons.

No service from the Butler

With due cause, former Tiger now Saint Dan Butler has been touted as the recruit of the year after St Kilda gave up a late pick to secure the half-forward in last year’s trade period. As has been the case many times this year, the Cats sent their best stopper, Mark O’Connor, to curb his influence and curb it he did. By the end of the contest, O’Connor had kept Butler to four disposals and no goals, down from his averages of 11 disposals and two goals a game this season. O’Connor himself had 16 disposals, nine marks, four rebounds from 50 and three inside 50s in another undersold performance from the young Irishman.  

Who’s in the ruck?

The request from the umpires as to which two players are contesting the ruck is one that some find unnecessary but following on from the Cats last two weeks of ruck tactics, it may be more understandable. The Cats were thrilled to welcome Rhys Stanley back to the side last week and his combination with “utility” Mark Blicavs has posed headaches for two of the competition’s in-form ruckman. After getting on top so much last week against Todd Goldstein that the All Australian ruckman was moved to a wing, the Blicavs-Stanley took down another scalp on Monday night against the AFL’s fourth highest ranked ruckman in Rowan Marshall. Whilst Marshall was still important for the Saints, the duo’s ability to pick and choose who played on him around the ground led to the Cats having Marshall wear himself out either chasing Blicavs or trying to get to defense to man up on Stanley.

Rested Rohan

We were reminded on Monday night just how important the dynamic Gary Rohan is to the Cats scoring chances. Rohan’s blistering speed was back at the GABBA and it was evenly balanced between giving his teammates options in attack and also Rohan restricting the Saints ability to move the ball from the back half. His four goals and game-high nine score involvements gave the Cats the all-important “scoreboard pressure” and his enthusiasm was infectious for his teammates.