In club icon Tom Hawkins’ 350th game, Geelong defeated Hawthorn by 36 points, not even averted by a 43-minute lightning delay.
In the customary Easter Monday MCG match, the Cats were leading by six goals when, right before the end of the third quarter, players were ordered off the pitch.After the game was scheduled to end, play resumed at 6:11 p.m., and in front of 67,020 spectators, Geelong prevailed 17.4 (106) to 10.10 (70) despite intense rain.
The Cats faced a strong comeback as the Hawks cut the lead to four points early in the third quarter, following an incredible seven-goal first quarter.
However, Geelong regained their lead by scoring six of the following seven goals before to the third quarter’s intense downpour.
The Bureau of Meteorology informed officials that lightning was expected within a 10-kilometer radius, prompting the decision to halt the play.
According to AFL regulations, the sides had to take a minimum of 20 minutes off after leaving the pitch.
Lightning stopped play in a 2021 Optus Stadium match between West Coast and Melbourne.
Power forward Hawkins scored two goals in the first quarter and finished with a game-high four, making him a vital player in his milestone contest.
In six weeks, Hawkins will hold the record for most games played for Geelong. He passed the recently retiring Jack Riewoldt of Richmond (787) to take 13th place in the annals of the VFL and AFL in terms of goals kicked.
With four goals of his own, young Cats forward Ollie Henry, who appeared sore during the pregame warm-up, perfectly complimented Hawkins.
Geelong, who had not made it to the finals since 2015, jumped out to a 3-0 lead after victories over Adelaide and St Kilda in the previous round.
Coach Sam Mitchell would have been pleased with the response after his team appeared headed for a crushing defeat at the half. Hawthorn is still without a win.
The Hawks suffered a setback when star forward Mitch Lewis pulled his hamstring, preventing him from playing in the final quarter.
Hawthorn fans had some optimism of pulling off an upset when recruit Mabior Chol scored three goals in a thrilling spurt in the second quarter and early in the third.
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