Hawkins kicks eight as Cats brush aside Bombers

Tom Hawkins has put on a masterclass as Geelong produced their most impressive performance since last year's AFL grand final in a 28-point win over Essendon.

Veteran forward Hawkins kicked four goals in the Cats' devastating 38-0 opening surge and finished with a career-best bag of eight in Sunday's 20.12 (132) to 16.8 (104) victory at the MCG.

Patrick Dangerfield (26 disposals, 10 clearances, 14 inside-50s) starred and Jeremy Cameron added three goals to reclaim a share of top spot in the Coleman Medal race.

Tom Stewart (26 disposals), Gryan Miers (24) and Isaac Smith (19) also contributed as the reigning premiers flexed their considerable muscle against one of the season's early form sides.

Essendon's Jake Stringer (26 disposals, 11 clearances, four goals) put in his best display for some time, Sam Weideman added a career-best five majors and Darcy Parish (38 touches, nine clearances) was busy.

Stringer dragged the Bombers back within 23 points during the third quarter with his fourth goal but the ruthless Cats were too strong.

Hawkins has built into the season after undergoing foot surgery and has tallied 19 goals during Geelong's (4-3) four-match winning streak, which has put them on the positive side of the ledger for the first time this year.

Cats veteran Zach Tuohy was a late withdrawal before the bounce but it was mostly positive from that point forward as Hawkins monstered Brandon Zerk-Thatcher early.

The powerful forward kicked 4.1 from four contested marks and six disposals in the first term and Geelong's 27-point lead at quarter-time ballooned to 46 before the main break.

Geelong's Jack Bowes was substituted with a calf injury but replacement Tanner Bruhn kicked two goals from clever snaps.

The Bombers, coming off a five-day break after the Anzac Day loss to Collingwood, were flat in the decisive first 20 minutes and were mauled 6-0 in early centre bounces by the Cats, who hadn't played since last Saturday when they beat Sydney.

They ended up winning that battle (19-15) as Stringer (nine) and Parish (five) got to work in the centre square but too much damage had been done.

Essendon mounted a challenge with four of the first five goals in the second half before Hawkins and Cameron kicked steadiers for the Cats.

The result continued Geelong's recent dominance over Essendon, their five-straight wins coming by an average margin of 47 points.

It also gave Chris Scott a 9-5 advantage over brother Brad Scott in head-to-head battles.