Blues belt Cats by 63 points as Hawkins on crutches

Carlton have stamped their AFL authority on a disastrous night for Geelong, with Tom Hawkins injured and Patrick Dangerfield in match review trouble.

The Blues dominated from the start on Friday to win by 63 points, with the 21.12 (138) to 11.9 (75) Carlton cakewalk continuing Geelong's mid-season slump.

It is Carlton's highest score this season and also their highest score against the Cats since the 1995 grand final - the Blues' last premiership.

In his 359th game, Hawkins had only managed three disposals against in-form Carlton key defender Jacob Weitering and has kicked just 15 goals in 12 games this season.

The Cats spearhead pushed off his left foot to go for a mark midway through the third term and was in immediate distress.

Hawkins injury
Tom Hawkins winces following his injury.

He hobbled off, kicking away his mouthguard in frustration on the boundary line and going straight to the rooms.

Hawkins, who needed foot surgery after Geelong's 2022 premiership, was on crutches at the end of the game.

"I can't say the news is good news, but I'm not saying the news is bad, either," coach Chris Scott said.

"It's mid-foot -- he has had a problem with his toe ... it's not the same injury.

"The experts we have don't know, so I certainly don't have anything more to add on that."

Scott was asked whether it was related to the 2022 surgery on the same foot.

"I'd encourage you not to make that leap - it's a bit like saying it's the same leg, but foot or hamstring? To make that connection I think is a little premature," he said.

The result was far removed from their last clash, when Geelong won by 13 points on April 27 for a 7-0 start.

Since then, the Cats have lost six of their last seven.

This was Dangerfield's first game in eight weeks, after suffering his second hamstring injury this season.

He racked up 17 possessions, but is certain to come under match review scrutiny for a dangerous tackle on Blues star Sam Walsh at the start of the game.

In front of 75,218 fans, the Blues were supreme.

"We had a much more balanced profile in our game ... it was probably the most balanced game we've had across all our phases," said coach Michael Voss.

Captain Patrick Cripps and ruckman Tom De Koning starred and Charlie Curnow kicked five goals.

De Koning
The De Koning brothers Sam (l) and Tom (r) enjoyed some spats in a lively duel.

Cripps racked up 41 possessions and 13 clearances.

Blues stopper Alex Cincotta went out of the midfield and played on Cats star Tom Stewart in a defensive forward role.

Not only did Cincotta add Stewart to his impressive list of scalps, but he kicked two goals as well.

De Koning's younger brother Sam, who has little experience in the ruck, went up against him.

While it was a one-sided contest, they had several sibling spats to keep it entertaining.

The result was far removed from their last clash, when Geelong won by 13 points on April 27 for a 7-0 start.

Danger
Patrick Dangerfield (l) will face match review scrutiny.

Since then, the Cats have lost six of their last seven.

Geelong forward Jeremy Cameron kicked three goals.

"We were just fighting to find ways to change the game," Scott said.

"Sometimes good teams get the better of you."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store