Geelong has recorded an important 51 point victory over Hawthorn, in front of a big crowd at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.

The Cats controlled proceedings for the majority of the contest, booting the opening four goals of the game with the Hawks never getting closer than 16 points for the rest of the night.

CATS v HAWKS Full match coverage and stats

There were big winners across the board for Geelong, including Sam De Koning who was influential in the ruck winning 20 disposals, 15 hitouts and kicking two goals.

The Tom Stewart midfield experiment continues to be a resounding success, with the star Cat collecting 26 disposals, ten score involvements and a game high three centre clearances.

Geelong’s new look small forward line wreaked havoc inside 50, led by Brad Close (four goals) and Shaun Mannagh (20 disposals & 14 tackles) who looked more than comfortable back in the AFL lineup.

The Cats flew out of the blocks with a big first quarter, booting the opening four goals of the game to take a 22 point lead into the first break.

Milestone man Gary Rohan started his 200^th AFL game in style, booting two goals late in the opening quarter to help the Cats open up a handy lead.

Geelong put the foot down in the second term, kicking another five goals to extend the margin to 34 points at half time.

Led by Mitch Duncan (15 disposals) and Oliver Dempsey (15 disposals), the Cats led most of the major statistical categories including inside 50’s (+16), contested possessions (+11) and disposals (+15).

The two teams traded blows after the main break, going goal for goal before Geelong landed the final two majors of the third quarter to pull away to a 42 point lead at the final break.

With an unassailable lead, the Cats controlled the final quarter and extended the final margin out to 51 points, capping off a dominant night at GMHBA Stadium.

Geelong head back to the MCG next Friday night for a clash with Collingwood, with the opening bounce at 7.40pm.

GEELONG       4.5     9.7     13.11    16.14    (110)
HAWTHORN    1.1     4.3      7.5        9.5        (59)

GOALS
Geelong: Cameron 4, Close 4, Rohan 2, De Koning 2, Neale 2, Miers, Blicavs
Hawthorn: Chol 2, Moore 2, Lewis 2, Worpel, Jiath, D'Ambrosio

BEST
Geelong: Stewart, Dempsey, Duncan, Dangerfield, Bowes, Cameron
Hawthorn: Worpel, Day, Moore, Meek, Impey, Amon

INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Hawthorn: Lewis (head)

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Ollie Henry (replaced Patrick Dangerfield in the fourth quarter)
Hawthorn: Harry Morrison (replaced Jack Gunston in the third quarter)

LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Mitch Knevitt (illness) replaced in selected side by Jhye Clark
Hawthorn: Nil

Crowd: 33,188 at GMHBA Stadium