GEELONG has sent a powerful warning to the rest of the competition with a comprehensive 36-point victory over the giant-killing Hawthorn to record its sixth consecutive win.

The Cats had far too many options in attack and pushed out to a 50-point lead early in the fourth, before a few late Hawks goals finalised the 12.10 (82) to 7.4 (46) result.

CATS v HAWKS Full match coverage and stats

Jas Fleming sent a scare through the Hawks camp, finishing the game on the bench with what coach Daniel Webster later confirmed was just cramp.

Geelong was coming off a five-game winning streak, and facing its fiercest opponent since its massive loss to North Melbourne in round one.

Hawthorn itself had just become the first team in 33 attempts to knock off the Roos, but the heightened emotions and return trip from Cairns may have resulted in some tired players.

The Cats roared out of the blocks, with forward pressure directly resulting in three goals in the opening five minutes, and Jas Stewart's hard running and brace of goals took the margin out to four majors at the first break.

As an inaccurate home side began peppering the goals in the second quarter, Hawks spearhead Aine McDonagh – starved of the footy in attack, as her side failed to record a single inside 50 for the term – pushed back as a defensive winger in an attempt to stem the flow.

Geelong key back Lexi Gregor was sidelined early in the third term with concussion, just as Hawthorn began to control the flow of footy out of the middle, and the Hawks then found life considerably easier going into attack without the Cats tall in the way.

But even with the Hawks managing to have a few scattered periods of dominance, Geelong was still able to maintain a comfortable margin.

Gregor's absence meant a combination of Evie Cowcher and Annie Lee were called upon to watch the considerably more powerful Jac Dupuy, and the Hawks key forward grew in influence as the game progressed.

The margin had drifted out as much as 50 points early in the last quarter, but McDonagh shook free of Claudia Gunjaca's clutches, booting two to trim things somewhat.

The midfield trio of Georgie Prespakis (29 disposals, seven clearances), Nina Morrison (24 and three) and Mikayla Bowen (24) continued their strong season, with fellow onball buddy Amy McDonald (on return from a hamstring injury) on managed minutes. 

The overhead strength of Jackie Parry (three goals) was too much for the understrength Hawthorn backline to counter, while stand-in captain Eliza West (23 and six clearances) battled hard for the brown and gold.

Nic Stevens may come under MRO scrutiny for a sling tackle on Daisy Flockart in the third quarter, for which a free kick was paid. 

Slick Cats teach Hawks a transition lesson
The Hawks' disposal wasn't quite as clean as the Cats', so when they did manage to find some space on the outside, they invited more pressure through fumbles, affecting their disposal into attack. By contrast, Geelong flew down the wings of GMHBA Stadium, fluently overlapping and sending the ball into its forward 50 time after time. The inside 50 count blew out to 30-8 at the main break, and while things weren't quite as dominant for Geelong in the second half, its ball movement and hit-up kicks inside 50 remained a class above.

Hawthorn's double blow
In a 12-round season, not only does every match count, but percentage is also vital. Hawthorn is likely to be locked in a battle in the lower half of the top eight for the remainder of the season, and not only coughed up the four points, but lost 14.4 in percentage as well.

Up next
It doesn't get any easier for Hawthorn, with Carlton at Ikon Park next Thursday night – Blues coach Mathew Buck and his children were keen onlookers at GMHBA Stadium. Geelong will be eyeing off another four points against a rebuilding Richmond, also playing at Ikon Park on Friday night.

GEELONG          5.1     7.6     9.9     12.10     (82)
HAWTHORN     1.0     1.0     3.2     7.4     (46)

GOALS
Geelong: Parry 3, Stewart 2, Kearns 2, Scheer 2, Crockett-Grills, Moloney, Webster
Hawthorn: McDonagh 2, Dupuy 2, Antony, Martin, Flockart

BEST
Geelong: Prespakis, Morrison, Parry, Webster, Bowen, Gunjaca
Hawthorn: West, Wales, Fleming, Elliott

INJURIES
Geelong: Gregor (concussion)
Hawthorn: Nil

Crowd: 3430 at GMHBA Stadium