Geelong have ridden another Jeremy Cameron masterclass to breathe life into their AFL premiership defence with an emphatic 82-point win over Hawthorn.
The Cats overcame a slow start, in which they coughed up the opening three goals, before putting their foot down during a 10-goal third term and powering away to a 19.13 (127) to 6.9 (45) victory at the MCG.
It improved the reigning premiers' record to 1-3 ahead of a meeting with lowly West Coast on neutral turf in the league's Gather Round feature.
Cameron kicked three of Geelong's first four goals and set up the other, keeping his side in the contest before half-time, and added another two in the Cats' dominant 10-goal third term.
He finished with a game-high seven goals from 22 disposals.
Cats captain Patrick Dangerfield responded to criticism over his slow start to the season with 27 disposals, 10 clearances and a goal.
Mitch Duncan (31 disposals), Max Holmes (27) Isaac Smith (27) and Gryan Miers (24, one goal) were also busy for Geelong.
Duncan and Jake Kolodjashnij stood up in their first matches of the season after overcoming injuries and Ollie Henry (two goals) had an impact as a substitute after replacing Jed Bews (concussion) at half-time.
Bews was hurt in a head clash with Hawthorn's Conor Nash, while teammate Gary Rohan is facing possible suspension for a sling tackle on Changkuoth Jiath.
Hawks midfielder Will Day also faces scrutiny for a dumping tackle on Brad Close and ruckman Lloyd Meek will be looked at after he thrust a knee into Mark Blicavs at a first-quarter ruck contest.
The versatile Cat was left sore and required treatment in the change room but returned to play out the match.
Hawthorn dominated clearances 24-10 in the first half and led by nine points at the main break but fell away dramatically.
Day (22 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances) worked hard against the tide and veteran Luke Breust kicked three goals.
Breust kicked two of the first three majors inside nine minutes and the Hawks led 19-0 before Cameron broke the Cats' drought at the 17-minute mark.
Cameron's fourth goal put Geelong in front for the first time at the eight-minute mark of the third term and they shut the gate in stunning fashion.
The Cats' dominant third quarter included a 22-1 advantage in forward entries as they piled on 10.5 (65) and kept the Hawks scoreless.
Dangerfield was at the forefront with eight disposals for the term and his chase-down tackle on Jai Newcombe was a highlight.
There was a comical moment late in the match when Cameron ran into a boundary umpire while celebrating his seventh goal.
Both men looked sore but got back to their feet, to the amusement of the 65,335 fans in attendance.
AAP
