Cats duo Tyson Stengle and Brandan Parfitt played solid roles in a whirlwind Easter Monday win for Geelong over traditional rivals Hawthorn in front of 67,000 rain-soaked fans at the MCG.
In a match headlined by Tom Hawkins 350th appearance in the hoops, and delayed for more than half an hour due to storms at the three quarter time break, Geelong continued on their way toward reasserting themselves as September threats with a six-goal win 17.4 (106) - 10.10 (70).
Stengle, who'd managed just one major through the opening two rounds of the season, got his side going when he twisted in the Cats' first from the boundary after a minute of play.
Geelong raced to a 36-point lead at the first break after kicking seven in the opening term before the Hawks responded with a five goal to one second quarter to cut the margin down to within two kicks at the main break.
As Hawthorn threatened to turn the game on its head, Stengle added his second with a long-range snap from the opposite pocket to his first to help steady his side.
Stengle bends it to perfection 😻#AFLHawksCats pic.twitter.com/98U82CU0wv
— AFL (@AFL) April 1, 2024
The 25-year-old also showed a touch of class with a creative slap to Mitch Duncan's advantage on the edge of the 50 to set-up another major.
Stengle had 18 touches, two goal assists and one clearance to go with his two majors for the afternoon.
Brandan Parfitt was also instrumental in the Cats' engine room with 21 touches from just 62 per cent playing time.
After playing just the nine games in 2023, Parfitt backed up his efforts on return to the side against the Crows last week with another impressive performance.
To go with his influence on-ball, the 25-year-old also landed a game-high 10 tackles, including a big hit on Jarman Impey to make a statement as his side flexed their muscles late to add percentage points to the four points.
In his post-match press conference, Cats coach Chris Scott let slip to label Parfitt one of his "favourite players".
"That's one of the strengths (tackling). I've said a few times, I like what Brandan brings. I probably shouldn't say that as a coach, you shouldn't talk about your favourite players, but I was pleased to have him in the team and he hasn't let us down these two weeks," Scott said.
"He's had to endure a fair period sort of being out of the team, in spite of playing some good footy and training well for us during the week. So when the chance opened up for him I was excited and I feel like he's taken that chance. It's good for, at the very least, the depth of that midfield."
Geelong play the Bulldogs in Adelaide for Gather Round on Saturday night.
