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.

"They destroyed us around the ball in the first half. I think it was a combination of they were very good – which we know they are, especially through their midfield – and we were completely outplayed through there, it was embarrassing, really," Webster said.

"You can't shy away from what you want to be. We want to be the best side in the competition, and to do that, you need to consistently back up week to week and perform. It's not an overreaction – we showed last week we can beat the best, and we didn't do that in the first half especially and gave ourselves no chance in the game. That's the reality of where we're at."

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.

"It was a perfect start, really. I know Hawthorn probably expended a lot of energy last week, with their performance and the travel, and we saw an opportunity to start well and stamp our authority on the game," Geelong coach Mick Stinear said.

"It was as close as we've got to four quarters against a really good side. The game had some different looks at times – I thought the third quarter the Hawks went quick and challenged us with their height. [But] it looked like us for the majority of the night, against a really good team who have proven themselves." 

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