Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins has marked his 250th AFL game with his first five-goal haul of the season for the ladder leaders who have beaten Sydney by 27 points at the SCG.

The Cats trailed by 14 points at quarter-time but controlled Sunday’s game thereafter to charge to a 16.11 (107) to 12.8 (80) victory.

After struggling in recent weeks to post high scores, Geelong kicked more than 100 points for the first time since round 12.

The teams were level at halftime, but the Cats kicked away in the third quarter, booting four goals to one.

Hawkins and Esava Ratugolea gave Geelong strong marking targets and Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan and Jordan Clark all contributed a couple of goals.

The Cats’ midfield were able to get on top after the first quarter, with Tim Kelly tallying a game-high 31 touches and Duncan and Joel Selwood also prominent.

Geelong won the clearances by 18 and the contested possessions by 31.

Sydney youngster Jordan Dawson continued his breakout season, kicking a career-best three goals and Isaac Heeney also booted three for the home team.

The Swans came out full of urgency and energy, kicking three of the first four goals.

The Cats fought back to level at the main break, booting five goals to three in the second quarter.

They took control in the third quarter and carved out a 22-point lead going into the final term.

Sydney twice pulled the deficit back to 16 points in the last quarter, but Geelong countered both times, kicking six goals to five in the term.

It was 15th-placed Sydney’s fourth-straight loss, with the Swans dropping to 6-12 for the season.